The Blue and Gold

Class of 2012: It’s Not Over Yet

The Blue and Gold Staff — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:20:13 +0000

Joel Stevenson

As the seniors entered the Jenkins auditorium on Jan. 25, 2012, very few realized that this was the third to last assembly of our high school career.

To start the assembly, Holland House principal Marilyn Slattery asked the students to participate in an exercise by having them stand if a statement applied to them. First she had the students who were venturing the selective services stand, then students going to City Year, and finally students that would be attending college in the fall. Nearly everyone in the auditorium was standing.

There was a rumble of noise that passed through the auditorium as the senior class realized how real all of it was. They realized that the end was close, as stated by senior Eliezer Hernandez, “It took me by surprise, I had no idea that time would fly by this fast.”

After Slattery’s presentation, computer programming teacher, as well as senior class advisor, Paul Marques, quieted down the crowd by asking them to do one thing that they seldom do: buy one thing from a class fundraiser. He then told the class that the prom tickets remain at 99 dollars and the only way for them to go down is if everyone to purchases one thing.

Once again the auditorium filled with ideas as the seniors displayed their disapproval of the cost. As stated by “I had no idea that prom tickets would be over 80 dollars I’m outraged.” However expensive the pricing is, there is only one way it can go down. The pricey cost of the prom tickets is due to the lack of seniors participating in fundraisers set up by their own class, something completely out of the control of the officers and advisors.

As the year began, the officers have worked hard to come up with events that could raise money. These included fundraisers at John Brewers, Dockside, as well as in school fundraisers including Yankee Candles and See’s Candy. The officers have worked hard to put together all of these events. However, through despite their hard work, very few people participated. For the few who did participate, for example those who sold candy for the See’s Candy sale, the senior class made a profit of a few thousand dollars, and that was from less than 10 students. Imagine the profits possible if 20, 50, or 100 seniors participated.

There is no one to blame except ourselves. Since freshman year, Marques has been quoted for a few of his catch-phrases, one of them being just “Buy one thing.” If every senior bought one item, then the price of a prom ticket would drastically lower to a price much more affordable and reasonable for us.

The class of 2012 would like to invite you to come support their annual Spring DodgeBall Tournament on Mar. 10, 2012. This will be the Class of 2012’s second year hosting the event. For those seniors that feel that they are graduating with the regret of not participating in anything class related, it is not too late. As stated by historian Paula Suarez, “Come and support the Dodgeball Tournament. Make sure you can walk across that stage knowing you did something for our class.”

For those seeking out more information or just want to suggest an idea for a successful fundraiser come by MaryAnn Seager’s room H307, her door is always open. It is not too late to make a change.

“I’ll Do It Tomorrow”

The Blue and Gold Staff — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:12:38 +0000

Brittany Mcfeeley

Senioritis: (noun) a tragic epidemic affecting seniors across the nation. What is this “Senioritis” disease one may ask? Well, I’ll explain it to you tomorrow.

Highly contagious and deadly are just a few ways to describe such a devastating epidemic. Deadly though? Oh, most certainly deadly to the poor grade point averages of the infected students; so seniors, beware. Scientists have not found a cure for such a huge problem, even though its cause is obvious: college.

Have no fear, this “Seniortis” is not something you can catch by walking onto your dream college’s campus or even talking to those who are fortunate enough to go there, but instead it arrives in the form of a big or small envelope — (insert drum roll here) the decision.

After narrowing a college list from 20 schools to a more reasonable 5-10 schools it comes time to apply. However, around this time of year seniors have either, a.) heard back from their schools, or b.) anxiously waiting for the decision to come in April. Ultimately, all decisions can cause Senioritis. Students who have already been accepted to college are doomed, going through the rest of the year with the skewed mentality, “I already got into a college, so I don’t need to prove anything anymore” or “they didn’t just choose me for my grades, so it’s okay if they drop.” Sound like you? Probably.

The students who got rejected from their dream school, like myself, know the feeling of disappointment like the back of their hands. These are the students who think, “I’m not going to get into a college,” and pathetically believe “my life is officially over.” Even though this may feel very true, (again, I know the feeling) the reality is that we will get into a college one day or another, believe it or not.

Seniors, I’m sorry to inform you that Senioritis may already be knocking at your door, that’s if you haven’t already invited it in yet. There is no set date when Senioritis officially sets in for seniors. It could range anywhere from the first college acceptance (or rejection) in December to the final decision in April.

Teachers, you can save the grades of the victims at the first signs of the outbreak. It all starts with the first “missing” homework, followed by the two day late project, and ultimately no project at all. As teachers, let’s face it, you probably have no control over the spread of the disease throughout the entire senior student body, however, you can provide them with the threat of the college withdrawing their acceptance, because apparently, I’ve heard that really happens.

From experience, I can say that underclassmen procrastination and Senioritis are not one in the same. Procrastination is but a derivative of laziness, and Senioritis originates from experienced seniors who have endured three years of tedious high school work and are awaiting graduation. Procrastination is not Senioritis, but Senioritis can be procrastination.

Now that I have completely exhausted my point about Senioritis, and said Senioritis twelve times too many in this article, I will continue to tell you about Senioritis to fill up the rest of this column. This, my fellow readers, is Senioritis at its peak.

Have you ever wondered why seniors take no standardized tests such as MCAS, SAT, and ACT and you’re forced to take them freshman, sophomore, and junior year? Here is a reason why: I, Brittany McFeeley, refuse to take ten seconds out of my life to spell the names of the tests out for you (even though I’m really supposed too). That is why.

The only time seniors will no longer suffer from Senioritis is (sorry teachers and principals) after graduation. Seniors could try to find a cure for their Senioritis, but let us be honest, we just really do not care.

Field of Dreams Proposed

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:45:09 +0000

Josh Kummins

For baseball fans, the cost of seeing a Red Sox game at Fenway Park is through the roof but imagine what it would be like to have an independent professional team right here in Malden.

Boston Baseball Field of Dreams (BFOD), led by Boston businessman and lifelong Red Sox fan Alexander Bok, is trying to make that imagination a reality. His group has searched all across the Greater Boston area for a perfect location and believes that the best option is the soon-to-be-vacated National Grid land parcel on the corner of Route 60 and Commercial Street.

On Jan. 12, 2012, the group made its first pitch to Malden residents during a meeting in the City Hall council chambers and the renderings of the proposed park are quite astonishing for a team that would be placed in the independent Atlantic League.

The league is currently comprised of eight teams from as close as Bridgeport, Conn. and as far away as Sugar Land, Texas. In the past, a team was housed in nearby Nashua, N.H. and the Pride, as they were known, achieved great success on and off the field, including one league championship. During their time in the league, former Red Sox player Butch Hobson served as the manager of the team.

Since being founded in 1998, the Atlantic League has strived to “bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to selected communities not presently being served by Major League or Minor League teams.” Teams play 140 games each season, so the future team would play 70 home games each year from late April to mid-September.

It is evident that the quality of baseball the Atlantic League provides is outstanding, but would a franchise in the league work in Malden? After years of searching, Bok and BFOD feel that the answer is a resounding yes.

Even with the failed North Shore Spirit franchise in people’s minds, a team could surely see success in a brand new park, which would be built steps away from the commuter rail. The Spirit played at Lynn’s 70-year-old Fraser Field, which is hidden away on a busy Western Avenue for people who have never been.

The proposed plan calls for a 6,000-seat, state-of-the-art ballpark that includes 16 private boxes, a “Kids Zone” play area and a family-oriented grass picnic seating area. BFOD is modeling their stadium after the 2005 BaseballParks.com Ballpark of the Year—Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri, which was built to the same architects that were hired for the Malden project.

A stadium of this magnitude would be a “home run” for the community as Malden High School’s baseball team would play home games there and other school events could be held. It would also help local organizations, such as youth sports leagues, raise money through in-stadium events and merchandise sales.

The stadium would create a great community atmosphere, which includes the fact that over 100 part-time jobs would be created during the season and community members would get priority in those positions.

Only time will tell if the dream becomes reality, but one can only hope that things will go as planned. BFOD estimates construction to begin in winter of 2013, while the first game would be held in April 2014.

Overcoming Injuries, Achieving Success

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:40:45 +0000

Senior Tai Phan cpmeting on the uneven bars. Photo by Joel Stevenson

Amanda Moraes

After a season of many challenges, the Malden High School gymnastics team has come out victorious. Over the past 11 years, the team has not been able to call themselves GBL champs, but all of that has changed with the addition of coach Vanessa James who, according to senior captain Alana Casey has “devoted her time and heart” to the team.

The team has won two GBL titles, including the one from this year. The last time the team won was 11 years ago when James was a senior on the gymnastics team. James says that in her opinion it is “just a coincidence” that all of the times the team has won, she has somehow been involved but also says that to her it’s “pretty cool.” James also says that it “feels great” to be the coach that finally led the team out of it’s rut and back to success.

Senior captain Alana Casey, who has been a gymnast since she can remember says that “after 11 years [the team] finally [gets] a ‘2012’ banner in the gym.” The team’s final meet was against Malden’s fiercest rival, Medford High School. The final score of the meet was 117.95 to 117.45, which, in the words of Casey, is “ridiculously close.”

On the way to becoming GBL champs, the team faced many challenges. Early on in the season James had to make the difficult decision of cutting members from the team because she did not have an assistant coach, which she feels would have been difficult to manage and a danger to the team. Along with the cuts, the team also had to overcome several injuries, which Casey jokingly says she would get a “10.0” in. On the second day of practice Casey injured her heel and had to be in crutches for a week and with a week left in the season, she broke a joint in her finger which kept her out of the final meet. Senior captain Jonathan Silva was also unable to compete because he injured his ankles. Silva states that he is “so proud of [the team] for trying so hard even when both the captains…were hurt and couldn’t compete.” Although the injuries really hurt the team this year, they “were not enough to hold [the team] back,” James stated. James also commented “that the team is “pretty solid all around” and despite the fact that she had to take out some of the top competitors because of injuries, she was “confident about [their] backups.”

The season is now over and James says that she plans to “keep doing what [she’s] doing” to maintain the title of GBL champions. She also says that she was “honored” to coach the team and that it feels “awesome to be able to give back and be a part of a team [she] once competed for.”

The ending of every sport’s season is something that can only be described as “bittersweet,” described Casey. However, both she and Silva are proud of the team for always trying hard in every event which is all anyone can ever ask; for competitors to put their “heart and soul into what [they] do.” And of course, the sense of victory and accomplishment from achieving the title of GBL champs doesn’t hurt either.

MBTA Changes Stir Controversy

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:42:01 +0000

Jessica Lynn DePaula

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority recently proposed a severe round of bus route eliminations, fair hikes, and other service cuts that have been met with much criticism. The MBTA contends that changes to service are necessary to close their 130 million dollar budget deficit this year. These changes would, in both of two proposed scenarios, directly impact citizens of Malden, especially Malden High School students taking the bus into school every day.
The first scenario would include a 43 percent fair hike, from $1.25 to $1.75 with a CharlieCard, $1.70 to $2.40 with a Rapid Transit Charlie Card, and abolish between nine percent and 13 percent of transit customers. The second scenario would include a 35 percent fair hike, from $1.25 to $1.50 with a CharlieCard, $1.50 to $2.25 with a Rapid Transit Charlie Card, and eliminate a large percentage of Malden bus routes. Both plans would also harshly raise the fairs by 50 percent for the RIDE (Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere), a transportation service primarily geared towards Massachusetts residents with disabilities, and the local commuter rail services during weekends in Malden would disappear.

These might seem like just numbers and statistics, however, for the many MHS students and Malden residents who rely on the MBTA to get to and from work, this will be pose a major issue. Four of the bus routes up are for reduction and, possibly elimination, are the only four buses that go down Salem Street and right by the high school every day, which would force students to find another way to get to school each day. The second scenario would be that the 106 and 108 would be cut completely; the 411 route would be demoted to weekdays only, and finally, the 430 route would run only on Sundays. This leaves only the 411 bus to transport students, via Malden Center, to the high school, every day.

As well as affecting high schoolers, the MBTA cuts will also take a major mode of transportation away from senior citizens. They are the biggest age group that rely on these four bus routes, particularly the highly popular 108 bus.

Newly elected Mayor Gary Christenson has sent a letter concerning the bus eliminations, citing the needs of seniors and students as a good cause to reconsider these drastic cuts. “With only four different bus routes providing service to the entire east side of our city, via the Salem Street corridor, there are many senior citizens as well as high school students who will be left with very few transportation options under the proposed cuts,” he wrote to Jonathan Davis, Acting General Manager of the MBTA. Christenson particularly cites the lack of transit resources that seniors will be left with in his letter: “Many of those residents no longer drive, making this MBTA service crucial to maintaining their independence.”

However, there are many citizens who agree with Christenson’s views, and have taken steps to make their voices and opinions heard. Some have taken Christenson’s lead and wrote formal letters of indignation to the MBTA. The city of Malden has schedueled a town meeting in order to discuss the cuts on Feb. 16, 2012. Others have made phone calls to their local city hall, demanding something to be done about the proposals. A very organized group of about 20 Somerville residents met and have begun to discuss various ways to fight the cuts. They call their movement “Occupy the T.”

MBTA officials have spoken up, defending the proposals. “These aren’t statistics and money, these are people. They’re customers who rely heavily on the MBTA to get to home, school, hospitals and we are very aware of that,” Transportation Secretaty Richard Davey said in a statement following the announcement.

A final plan on these cuts is scheduled to take place sometime this March, and a board vote is projected to be counted April 15, 2012.

Stizz Lifestyle

rmbroomstein — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:12:03 +0000

: Stizz Lifestyle

Rebecca Broomstein

Junior Samir Chibane launched his very first clothing line, Stizz Lifestyle Clothing, in September of last year, hoping to make an impact as a young “go-getter” in the fashion business. His ambitious strive in entrepreneurship is inspiring to his supportive classmates, many of whom can be seen sporting his gear around the halls of Malden High School.

“Stizz” has an unseen, yet cleverly relevant meaning of “style with ease.” (Agreeing that the name “Steez” makes more sense, Samir argues that ‘stizz’ rolls off the tongue more fluently.) His line is filled with clean designs; it strays away from bright colors for a more “sharp” approach. Colors you can expect to see on his clothes are light blues, grays, navies, maroons, and blacks, chosen specifically to make the style “easy to understand,” explains Chibane. Stizz Clothing offers three different crewneck sweaters, three different tee shirts, and a flat-bill baseball cap with the store’s logo on it. On each of the articles of clothing, one would find a graphic that reads “Character Over Reputation,” a music note of the names of popular hip hop artists, and a Stizz emblem (as shown to the left).

Chibane has always been motivated to start his own business and when his interest in style became a prominent factor in his life, he decided to take action. Thus, the bith of Stizz. The whole ordeal began with a custon-design tee shirt generator. After he got the jist of his design ideas, Chibane put them to sale. He got the designs manufactured and put up on his website, www.StizzLifestyle.bigcartel.com, for sales to begin.

The clothing line is targeted to attract hustelrs and grinders. “My clothes clothes are for people who are reaching for success,” (much like Chibane himself!), he says of his targeted customers. Chibane wants those who wear his clothes to feel as though they are united to something big. Stizz Clothing entails a sense of pride for its customers, making them feel like they are supporting something potentially momentous. Chibane says that those who wear the gear are a part of an “ambitious group” that is “supportive and united.”

A lot of Stizz’s essense is influenced by Chibane’s one and only style icon, Pharrell. Pharrell holds the many career titles of a music artist, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Chibane admires his clean approach to style and business.

When asked if he plans on pursuing his line in the future, Chibane replies, “Definitely. If I start something, I might as well take it seriously and make it big.” The line is coming out with new designs that are expected to hit the website later on this month. Stay tuned into Stizz and keep an eye out for upcoming designs!

You can find Stizz Lifestyle on Facebook or follow them on Twitter: @Stizz_Clothing

MHS Goes “Green” with Solar Panels

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:35:58 +0000

Haley Dowdie

Massachusetts has recently ranked the highest on the annual state by state energy efficiency scorecard. According to the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE), “Massachusetts now has the most aggressive energy efficiency targets in the nation.” Among this, Massachusetts energy efficiency success is Malden High School, which recently had photovoltaic solar power panels installed in the school.

In photovoltaic power panels, light is directly converted into electricity at the atomic level.

For the many chemists at MHS this may sound pretty rudimentary, however the installation of these solar power panels is a tedious process, which took approximately four months.

MHS applied for a federal government grant which they received and had the panels installed. As with any large building, electricity is a necessity for the functioning of a school of this size. The solar powered panels are going to provide “some electricity relief for the school” stated Principal Dana Brown. The use of these panels have the potential to save $50,000 to $75,000 yearly on electricity. Though the panels do not provide the school with its entire electricity supply, they do accumulate a fair amount.

MHS is rapidly becoming a modernized school, filled with new technology, including the new solar power panels. Technology definitely captures the interests of this nation’s youth. Principal Brown feels “students are curious about technology and it is good to have in a school.” MHS is putting forth great effort to incorporate technology in the student’s daily school lives. The school has installed a television screen which will soon transmit information about the weather, wind, and temperature, as well as the generated electricity from the panels.

As the school advances in the 21 century technologically, the school indirectly “goes green.” The environment is a topic referenced often in the classrooms of MHS. AP Environmental Science teacher Shauna Campbell feels the installations of solar powered panels are adding to the betterment of the school and the environment stating “It [is] cool that they [have] installed technology that in the long run will save energy and money.” The panels, located along the top of the high school, “[allow] for the public to see how we are trying to utilize solar energy.” With luck, the high school and the rest of the city will follow suit and continue to use more sustainable technology for the benefit of our planet.

Lunar New Year Celebration

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:35:04 +0000

Casey Lyons

Every year, an important traditional Asian holiday comes around known as the Lunar New Year, in which everyone can celebrate the excitement of a new beginning. For good luck one may receive a red envelope that consists of money and depending on the culture, different traditional foods are served. People tend to wear red and write poems on red paper because the color red symbolizes fire and according to legend, it drives away any kind of bad luck. This holiday allows families to come together and celebrate all of the luck and happiness to come.

The Malden Asian Pacific American Coalition (MAPAC) created an event that invites all families to come watch a variety of performances done by students from Malden High School and people from outside the high school. MACPAC collaborated with MHS’s Asian American Club and with the Chinese Culture Connection (CCC), which is a non profit organization that helps connect American and Chinese people through programs and arts. “There are multiple organizations coming together such as Bread of Life, Chinese Cultural Connection, and a lot of the MHS clubs, to celebrate the New Year, relax, and have fun,” stated volunteer Mary Nguyen.

This year was the 15th annual celebration. All of the performances were held in the Jenkins auditorium at MHS and had some relation to Lunar New Year. Teacher and class of 2013 advisor, Phuong Ho said that the event is important to her because “[she’s] Vietnamese and [she] likes how it connects to modern culture.” The show began with a traditional lion dance. There was also a musical performance, fan dance, kungfu performance, and much more. To the crowd’s surprise, Mayor Gary Christenson came on stage with a trench coat and then revealed that he was wearing traditional Chinese attire underneath; the crowd responded in shock and laughter.

There were also many other performances that included students from MHS. Out of all the years that the event has been going on, this year had the most students involved in the performances. All students got a chance to show off their talent and connect to the holiday themselves. Sophomore and volunteer Han Pham said that she thought that the performances were phenomenal, “[the] way the show represented the cultural connection that Malden High and the CCC presented through their performances.” The audience got to experience a lot of performances that connected them to the Lunar New Year.

MHS Student Copes With Fire

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:33:30 +0000

Omar Khoshafa, Dan Holmqvist

For many, a fire can be an experience that is absolutely devastating. Nevertheless, Malden High School junior Timothy Desmond, whose house on Boylston Street sustained heavy damage from a fire this month, is taking his unfortunate circumstances in stride.

Fire crews from both Malden and Medford reportedly had to fend off “intense smoke” from Desmond’s residence on Jan. 17. As a result of the fire, all the residents living in the three family building have been temporarily displaced. Weeks earlier, another house on the same street was damaged by a separate fire incident.

For Desmond, the most important thing was that no one was harmed. “The smoke alarms worked and did their job. They were the reason that everyone got out.”

Luckily for Desmond, his own room only suffered from smoke damage and was not affected by fire damage, meaning that many of his own personal belongings were recovered.

Desmond explained, “At the end of the day, it’s only a house – not a person.”

Still, Desmond temporarily had to relocate to an apartment in Woburn with his father. While living in Woburn, he got to school with the North Reading Transport along with other students living in temporary housing. The commute took upwards of 40 minutes because the transportation service had to make stops at other schools before reaching MHS.

The transportation service also left from MHS immediately after school, meaning it was hard to Desmond to participate in other extracurricular activities. On days that Desmond had after school meetings, his father would give him a ride on the way home from work.

Desmond is now living in an apartment on the Malden-Everett border. It will likely take months before he is able to return to his home on Boylston Street.

A Basketball Brotherhood

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:08 +0000

Malden High School Boys Basketball during game.

P.J. Montezuma
Jacob Martino
Haley Dowdie

As the season comes to an end, Malden High School’s varsity basketball team is standing with a record of 7-7. The team needs to win three of the four games they have left to assure a place in the state tournament. Malden struggled for a while agianst some strong teams. On Jan. 31, 2012 Malden lost to Everett 56-43. Malden also lost the first game against Everett on Jan. 13, 2012 by 22 points with the score being 85-63. Everett walked away with the win both times. Malden beat Medford the first time they faced on Jan. 6, 2012 by four points, the score being 64-60. However, they seemed to struggle the second time they faced, by losing to Medford by 17 points with the score of 54-37. The team beat Minuteman on Feb. 1, 2012 by 13 points.

When junior Tommy Steele was asked what he thought the team might achieve, he replied, “I think our team can win the Greater Boston League, we have the talent and the athleticism to do it. [We are]probably one of the most athletic teams in the GBL. It all depends on if we play together.” There has been some adversity periodically throughout the season as in ”the beginning of the season it was more like an individual team, now [it is] like a family,” commented Steele. Some players have really been standing out lately. “[Junior] Jason Surpris is one of the most hard working kids we have, he has stepped up tremendously and is at his peak right now,” says junior captain Rodney Morton. Surpris even was one of the starting five against Everett on Jan. 31, 2012. “Also our [freshman] Anthony Gilardi has matured and played a significant role on our team.” stated Morton. Despite all their hard work, Steele revealed, “From what I see, nobody has achieved their goals yet, including me.”

A new addition to the team is MHS junior varsity starter, freshman Dennis Bailer. There are certainly some crowd favorites, seeing the crowd go crazy when one player comes off the bench.

Malden beat Medford the first time they faced on Jan. 6, 2012 by four points, the score being 64-60. However, they seemed to struggle the second time they faced, by losing to Medford by 17 points with the score of 54-37.

They need to step it up these last few games. “This is the final stretch and we won’t be able to get this back,” commented Morton. With Just three remaining games against Westfield, Minuteman, and Dracut, the season is winding down to an end.

The MHS Wrestling Team Struggle Through the Season

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:58 +0000

MHS wrestler wrestling against a North Quincy wrestler. Photo by Amanda Rosatone.

Johanna Lai

For the past few weeks in the winter season, the Malden High School’s wrestling team is getting ready for its last couple of meets together as a team, the individual part of the season, and possibly the state championship qualification. The individual part is what English teacher and head coach Jeremiah Smith is looking forward to since the team does better in the individual season than they do in the team season.

As the team prepares for sectionals Smith stated that “the season will depend on how well they do during sectionals and it will determine to see if their individual season has ended or can qualify for the state tournament. “

One of the main highlights in this season was a win against Everett on Jan. 19, 2012. This win was coming from their final meet as a team with a score of 37-35. The winners on that day were sophomore Jean Gedeon, freshman Jean Janvier, and sophomore Phillip West, junior Rufus Arraheffege, and senior captains Robert Stocker and Mario Sforza. Another main highlight came from the team itself when it comes to not having every weight class to be filled up. Smith was also impressed on how well Stocker and Arraheffege have improved throughout the season.

As Sforza stated “we didn’t have all 14 weight classes, one match that we won was against Everett which was a league opponent.

Recently, the team had an away meet against Tewksbury on Jan. 25, 2012. Tewksbury was an opponent that the team struggled to win. This was the case when the team lost to Tewksbury with a score of 60-9, however, they received wins from Sforza and Arraheffege. Arraheffege won by a score of 5-2 while Sforza’s match against a Tewksbury player was a forfeit since the Tewksbury team did not have an opponent.

The lack of filling the weight classes at MHS made it hard for the team to make this season successful, leaving currently with a 3-16 record. The last two wins came from their last away meet which took place on Jan. 28, 2012. These wins were from their last away meet against Malden Catholic and Belmont High School.

Next year will be filled with new goals, a new season, and also a new start for the MHS wrestling team. Smith stated he wants “improvements on the conditioning, hand placement, and stands.” Making these improvements will create a major impact on the team next season if they continue to improve on those types of techniques.

Girls Track: Preparing for Victory

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:23 +0000

Haley Dowdie and Haley DeFilippis running.

Jason Drapinski

The indoor track season is always a tough season for runners. The transition from cross country to indoor track is very quick and different. In cross country the distances are longer and slower, in indoor they are just the opposite, short and fast. Sophomore member Jacqueline Bouley said “once the team adjusted to the ‘feel’ of track again, [the team was] on [their] way to competing and training the best [they] possibly could.”

This season has been a struggle for the girls indoor track team, with two losses against Cambridge Rindge and Latin and Somerville. The “Cambridge [Rindge and Latin] and Somerville [teams] were really tough meets, but [the team] expected that” says senior member Haley DeFilippis. Despite their hardships, the team looks forward to be participating in the Greater Boston League Championship(GBL) meet. These losses are encouraging the team to try even harder at the GBL meet.

As GBL’s approaches the team continues to practice hard. To prepare for GBL’s the team practices like it regularly would, long and strong workouts. Everybody is required to put in their best to contribute to a successful season. According to DeFilippis the difference in approaching the GBL meet is “going in there more aggressive.” Sophomore member Cristina DiScipio believes if “you practice with your team and do the right things, like eat right and hydrate, you can achieve your goals.” According to Coach Dave Londino the team will prepare for the GBL meet by “making sure [the team places] athletes in the events they’ll perform best in. This year [the team lacks] top level depth, so proper event placement is critical to assure the highest score possible.”

The team continues to strive for the GBL title and also for athletes with states qualifying times. DeFilippis, Bouley and juniors and blue and gold members Haley Dowdie and Lauren Benoit have qualified for the 4×800. Bouley states she is “excited to compete in Division states, and to see her teammates qualify and compete as well.”

The team will be competing for the Greater Boston League championship title on Feb. 11 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association meet will be held on Feb. 24.

Tim Thomas: Where Were You!

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:45 +0000

Natalie Fallano

Every Boston fan remembers when Manny Ramirez did not show up to meet former President George Bush with his fellow Red Sox Teammates. Everyone shook it off with a laugh and concluded it as “Manny Being Manny.” But when Bruins goalie and Boston hero Tim Thomas declined to meet President Obama, he shocked Boston fans and other Americans.

The tradition goes back to the days of Calvin Coolidge, championship winning professional sports teams have had the privilege of meeting the president. Boston fans have been privileged; all their teams winning at least one championship over the last decade: the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics have all met Bush.

Last year the Boston Bruins won Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972 and were invited to meet President Barack Obama at the White House. The Stanley Cup champions only had 2 Americans on their team: Steven Kampfer and of course Thomas.

Thomas told the Bruins three months ago that he would not attend the White House event because of his dislike of the US government. Bruins president Cam Neela admitted that “We are disappointed that Tim [Thomas] chose not to join us, and his views certainly do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Bruins organization.” Thomas explained his reasoning on his Facebook page, stating “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.”

People took sides on this matter. Thomas’ teammates claimed that they supported his decision but were sad that he was not going to be there. Fans to Sports Analysts to political figures have expressed their opinion about Thomas’ absence. Kampfer told boston.com reporters that ” It’s Timmy’s [Thomas] decision. It’s his beliefs. It’s his right to do what he wants.

According to boston.com ” Governor Deval Patrick commented on Thomas by stating ” He’s a phenomenal hockey player and he’s entitled to his views, but it just feels to me like we’re losing in this country basic courtesy and grace.”

Fans are now aware that Thomas is a conservative Republican and a Tea Party supporter, which is not common in Massachusetts. People will continue to judge Thomas for his decision but at the end of the day, his political position does not change what he has done for the Bruins in the past and is continuing to do. He is still a phenomenal goaltender and the wall who protects Boston.

The Bruins are currently in first place in the Northeast Conference and will most likely make the playoffs. The truth is, if he brings Boston home another cup this year, he can be a communist for all we care. By the end of the season only ones remembering this controversy will be the “Sedin Sisters.”

MHS Cheerleading: A Team Worth Cheering For

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:27 +0000

Cheerleaders cheering the basketball team on.

Grace Stathos
Jessica Lynn DePaula

Malden High School’s winter sports season is coming to a close, and as the season has progressed, the basketball cheerleading team has grown into a larger, more experienced group of girls who have been honing their skills to prepare for next fall’s competitive season. The cheerleading team is composed of members from all four grades, and they hel each other immensely. “All the girls have been working well together and improving their skills as a team. We have some girls who are new to the sport who have been able to learn the basic skills and we have veterans who have been building on their existing abilities,” stated coach Diana Buonopane, who is an eighth grade math teacher at the Linden School.

As the school year’s end looms closer, the cheerleaders, like all MHS sports, will be losing members, so they decided to make the best of the time they have remaining. During the winter season, since there was a lack of competitions, the MHS cheerleaders were present at each and every boys basketball game. The crowd enjoys the enthusiam that the cheerleaders bring to the game. “They enjoy the basketball games and supporting the basketball players,” says Buonopane.

With so many new faces, the entire team quickly learned that the bigger the team, the bigger the need for total and complete cooperation. Teamwork is key, according to Coleman who stated “some things we had to work on was helping others when needed. There’s not one girl who doesn’t help another. We also worked on helping new girls learn old dances from [the previous] winter season.”

“The biggest obstacle we overcame is getting along and acting more than a team…I’d call it a “sisterhood,” Coleman described.

Boys Track Falls Short

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:18 +0000

The boys team jogging.

Timothee Pierre

The Malden High School boys track team has many good qualities, including a desire to win.
This season, they faced strong teams in the Greater Boston League (GBL) like as Cambridge and Somerville. With last year’s indoor track record of 4-1, the boys track team has a current record of 2-1. Unfortunately, this year’s MHS boys track team did not secure the GBL championship title because of a loss to Cambridge, but some individual members of the team were able to qualify for the state meet.

For runners, the indoor track season begins before winter. Head coach David Londino explained, “We work early in the season to build strength and endurance. Now we are tapering to become as quick as possible.”

The large number of departing seniors on the track team means it is now as important as ever to develop
talent for the coming seasons. Head coach Jamie Green, who is always trying to recruit new athletes, explained, “We try to speak to athletes from other sports and we use our current athletes to help them understand that there are many events available that appeal to all types of athletes. We also rely on our record of success and hope that more athletes want to share in our success.”

With this in mind the boys track will try to finish their season strong with a great performance at the GBL championship meet.

Andres Torres

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:32 +0000

Q: How long have you done gymnastics?
A: I joined up my sophomore year after some persuading from my friends already in it. It was my 1st time doing anything gymnastics like so it was very new.

Q: What event do you compete in?
I compete in the bars event. It was the most appealing event to me since I’m not really much of a flipper. It’s really fun but just like the other events it gets tough.

Q: What you will miss most about the team/the season?
A: Definitely the team itself. It’s a fun sport but what kept me coming everyday was the fun I had with my teammates. A win is only so nice if you can’t share it with someone.

Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A: I plan to go to college after high school. Hopefully I may still practice gymnastics sometimes.

Q: Who(at MHS) has had a big impact on your life? & why?
A: Every single one of my teachers at MHS I thank you. They’ve always been kind enough to try and steer me on the right path and it means a lot to me.

O’Shane McCreath

The Blue and Gold Staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:55:38 +0000

Sharon Lee

What events do you do for indoor track?
I do high jump, the 55-meter dash, and the 4 by 2 relays.

Did you qualify for states, and if so which events did you qualify for?
I qualified for states in the 55-meter dash, and the 4 by 2 relays.

How long have you participated in indoor track?
This will be my second year on the indoor track team.

Do you participate in outdoor track, if so how many years have you participated?
I’m not sure yet if I would like do outdoor track, and if I do plan to do it, it would be my first time.

What do you like most about indoor track?
I can safely say that I enjoy all the running events that I compete in which would be the 55 meter dash and the Relays. I feel as if speed is a gift, and one that you should use until you can’t anymore.

What was your motivation to join the indoor track team?
My motivation to join the indoor track team was honestly to get faster for college.

What are your plans following high school?
My plans following high school include playing football for maybe a division 2 or preparatory school for a chance at division 1 football. I haven’t decided if I’ll be doing track in college yet, but if I do, I’ll be sure to do my best.

Kelly Nguyen

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:17:03 +0000

Jason Drapinski

How long have you played this sport?
I have done indoor track ever since I was a freshmen until senior year. I also participate in Outdoor Track in the Spring.

What position do you play?
During indoor track I have ran the 300 meters and the 50 meter dash, also doing long jump at GBL’s.

What you will miss most about the team/the season?
What I am going to miss the most is are the coaches, they are just so wonderful, and just the whole atmosphere of the Salemwood gym because I have made so much memories in that gym.

What are your plans for after high school?
After high school I plan to go to college, hoping to get into MassArt. I would like to study graphic design and later maybe later on double major in interior design. I’ve always loved art and just being about to express myself.

What advice would you give to the underclassmen?
My advice to the underclassmen is to focus on school and do well, but also live life and go out and have fun.

Who(at MHS) has had a big impact on your life? & why?
The person who has impacted my life the most at Malden High would be my former coach, coach Abbatessa. He has pushed me so hard in track and built my confidence so much, that it made me a more confidence person in the things I do. He also taught me to try my best in everything I do.

Dante Steene

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:29 +0000

Jacob Martino

Q: How long have you been playing basketball?
A: I’ve been playing since fifth grade.

Q: Do you plan on playing in college?
A: Nah, I mean I love basketball but there are other things I plan on doing then.

Q: Have you reached your personal goals this season? If not, what do you still hope to accomplish?
A: No, we’re 7-7 but we want to make the tournament.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school? Basketball?
A: How pure it is and the crowds.

Q: What were you’re favorite sports?
A: Basketball and Baseball are my favorite sports.

Q: Where do you see yourself four years from now?
A: In California making a living.

Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: I like hanging with some friends doing the usual.

Q: Anything you want to tell your fellow seniors and underclassmen?
A: Live hard but laugh harder and stay on top of your grades.

Q: What will you miss the most about high school?
A: I’ll miss the games but I’ll miss the people and all the memories that come with the lifestyle. And I’ll miss Jake Martino.

Abundance of Teamwork Overlooks Losses

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:17:52 +0000

Malden scores a basket!

Sumya Mohiuddin
Casey Lyons

As winter finds its closure, the girls basketball team says farewell to another well played season. Although the girls lost many games, they will never forget the hard work and persistence they put into all the games they played. They did their best this season and will do even better next season now that they know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Although they did not reach their goal of winning 10 games to qualify for the state tournament, they did become closer as a team. Coach Wayne Bartolucci emphasizes the importance of “[working] together as a cohesive unit,” and the girls have come a long way by reaching that.

Bartolucci explains how it is also important “that each player gets better from the first day of tryouts to the last day of the season.” Judging by the effort put into everything they do, it is easy to say that they have achieved their goal.

Working together made the team stronger and more prepared before each game. As a team they all put in a 100 percent and made the most of the season. But not only did they become a stronger team but a family. If one member shines on the court, the rest of the team has the same effect.

Next season the returning basketball players will be even more prepared for the season. They have learned from their mistakes and are ready to begin fresh. Although they will be gone, the team will not forget the senior captains that helped them along the way.

One of the four captains is Commie Ayuk who says that “being a captain is definitely and most importantly being a positive role model not just in the sport but out of it also and someone a teammate can rely on or go to.” The other three captains are seniors Kiara Amos, Rebecca Krigman and junior Bridget Furlong. The member on the team have learned so much from their captains and its saddening to say good-bye to three of them. Bartolucci, happy with his choices for captain, says that all three have “leadership” qualities, and they are “someone that [he] would want [his] two young daughters to be able to look up to as role models.”

Learning the ways of basketball helped Ayuk to adjust to real life situations. One major lesson she took from playing basketball ever since started when she was nine is to “give everything all your effort, 100 percent all of the time because that’s the only way you’ll earn what you deserve in life.”

The team’s relationship on the court is remarkable; the truth in their motives help to create a familiar and comfortable atmosphere for the entire team. They might lose, but at the end of each game, they become stronger than they were before.

The girls have high hopes for next season.

Eddie Lee

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:47 +0000

Kerry Ngan
Alan Shootech

How long have you played this sport?
I learned how to swim at 7, and began swimming competitively at 10 or 11

What position do you play?
I swim the 100 Breaststroke and 200 Freestyle.

What you will miss most about the team/the season?
-I will absolutely miss most the people and the sense of camaraderie that comes with swimming with so many different people.

What are your plans for after high school?
I plan to go to a 4-year college, and (maybe) major in chemical engineering.

What advice would you give to the underclassmen?
Don’t be afraid to go after what you dream about, whether it be to qualify for sectionals, states, or even just winning an event during a meet; work your hardest before you graduate, and if all else fails, be confident that you’ve worked and tried your hardest to get there – it’s the journey that counts the most.

Who (at MHS) has had a big impact on your life? & why?
In terms of swimming, my coaches have made the biggest impact in my swimming career. They have all gone through what I am, or have been going through and know exactly what it means to swim for a team. They are passionate about their jobs as coaches, and have taught much about work ethic, teamwork, and leadership.

Tiffany Rodriguez

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:20 +0000

Johanna Lai

How long have you played this sport?
I have played this sport for 1 year.

What position do you play?
I played at the 106 class.

What you will miss most about the team/the season?
I am going to miss my family, we all got along and the fact that I’m a senior, I could have done it earlier.

What are your plans for after high school?
After high school, in general, I planned on going going to Salem State University. I don’t know if I am still going to volleyball and lacrosse.

What advice would you give to the underclassmen?
Honestly, don’t give up, fight through it, it’s a really fun sport once you get in it and it makes you stronger.

Who(at MHS) has had a big impact on your life? & why?
Mrs. Scibelli, the Assistant Athletics Direct, has had a big impact on my life. She was huge impact because she said ‘once you put your mind to something, keep going at it. You’ll never know what the outcome might be.

Karina Hong

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:15 +0000

Grace Stathos
Jessica Lynn DePaula

What position are you on the team?
Flyer

What are your plans for after high school?
After high school, I hope to attend college for a dual major in business administration and civil engineering. My future is not set in stone but that’s where I’m heading.

Who (at MHS) has had a big impact on your life and why?
Throughout my high school career, there was one teacher that I portrayed as a hero. He was someone that treated students with respect and dignity. He was someone that encourage his students to achieve higher than what they could. He was someone that taught unbelievably well in business and social science. He not only taught his students the academic requirements for his course(s) but also gave life lessons. That one teacher is Mr. Charles Bowers. Mr. Bowers impacted my preparation for college enormously that I will feel confidence, leaving Malden High School.

How long have you been cheerleading? On the MHS team? Why did you decide to get into the sport?
I started my cheerleading experience for Malden Pop Warner in 2007. That was also the same year that I stopped cheerleading for a while, or rather a long time. Last year, I decided to join the winter season for cheerleading because I simply miss being a part of a cheering team and I also love watching basketball.

What are some memories you have from your experience on the cheerleading team?
My unforgettable memories would be the laughter I shared with my teammates. They are so silly. During every game, sophomore cheerleader, Jomayra and I would shout fragments of a chant to one another with goofy faces. “Look at the time. Look at the score .Come on, Malden. We want more.”

Now that you’re a senior, how does it feel to know that this is your last year cheering? Will you miss it, or are you more excited for the future?
I love cheerleading. I will definitely miss every aspects of it – the stunts, the cheers, supporting our basketball team, being a part of the cheerleading team – simply everything. It is bittersweet to say goodbye to cheerleading as it is a part of my past, but I’m very excited for what’s ahead in my future. I’ll put my cheerleading skills into volunteering opportunities.

What advice would you give to someone who was interested in joining the team?
For anyone that wants to join the team, be confidence and show commitment.

Commie Ayuk

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:08 +0000

Casey Lyons
Sumya Mohiuddin

How long have you been playing basketball? What made you want to join?
I’ve been playing basketball for about 9 years now! And I started playing because my older brother, Bryan, introduced me and taught me how to play and it was a ton of fun.

What are your favorite subjects in school? Why?
My favorite subjects in school are probably AP Government and Politics and Anatomy+ Physiology because they’re always changing topics, you know? Like new studies about the human body or new issues with the government and never ending politics. Keeps things interesting!

Do you play any other sports besides basketball?
I do play other sports; I play volleyball in the fall and lacrosse in the springtime.

Are you in any clubs? If so, what are they?
Along with sports, I’m a part of the captains council club, where we do a lot of community service and events, I’m a member of the title IX club which is a fairly new club at Malden High so all the members are having fun getting it started. Also I work at the Malden YWCA as a peer leader.

What do you want to major in? What college are you planning to attend?
In college I intend on majoring in either kinesiology or something that has to do with anatomy.
I’m hoping to either attend University of Hartford or Westfield State University this coming fall!

What does being captain mean to you?
Being a captain to me is definitely and most importantly being a positive role model not just in the sport but out of it also and someone a teammate can rely on or go to.

What do you wish for your team to improve on for the next season?
I’m hoping the team keeps a flow of energy on the court right from the start when they play because the talent is all there it’s just keeping a high constancy level and it all starts with our confidence!

Have you achieved your goals you set in the beginning of the season?
Not quite, but we’re rolling back around the schedule and seeing teams again so now we’ll take our second chances and trying the second best thing.

How does it feel leaving Malden High and your team behind?
It’s really sad leaving, because I really like these group of girls, they’re awesome teammates and it’s going to be hard leaving but at least I know they will be just fine when us seniors leave!

What is one major lesson you can take away from your experience in playing basketball?
One major lesson I’ve learned? It would probably to never settle. Give everything all your effort, 100% all of the time because that’s the only way you’ll earn what you deserve in life.

Who are your role models?
Haha, this question is funny and hard to explain, because I look at the people I see daily, like my friends, as role models with certain qualities. But if I had to name people I would say my mom and Hayley Williams.

Rebuilding The Season

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:05 +0000

Kizoa slideshow: Swimming – Slideshow

Kerry Ngan
Alan Shootech

Ending with a good season, the Malden High School swim team looks forward to their goals for the next season. Their focus revolves around the idea of teamwork, function and prosperity of the team as they develop their skills throughout their practices and meets. Assistant coach Jessica Bisson, the Special Education teacher and consultant at MHS, expects “them to do very well and wants to see improvement [in] their times.”

The coaches have helped develop a very well organized and hard-working team for support during their meets. They have strong captains who are senior Eddie Lee, junior Caitlin Cala and juniors and The Blue and Gold staff members Amalia Quesada Nylen and Catherine Poirier. However the team has many new swimmers but they are expecting to see improvement inthe next few years based on the improvement shown by new swimmers.
Their toughest meet so far was against one challenging team, Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Their team in very deep, consisting of mostly upper classmen. This will give the young MHS team an advantage next season, and hopefully another GBL title. At the beginning of the season when they competed as a new team, Cambridge had defeated them, but in the second meet against Cambridge it was evident that the MHS swim team had improved. The swim team was able to “take on the challenge,” states Bisson. “We could improve technique-wise, although its amazing to see the improvement,” Bisson added.

Bisson found this to be an auspicious year due to having such a vast amount of new people on the swim team, and considered it to be a reconstructing year. Having lost some valuable swimmers the previous year, Bisson considers this nonetheless to be an opportunity for the younger swimmers to show their talent and potential.

Business Department

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:08 +0000

Kayla Bramante

International Business

Describing her international business class, business teacher Karen stated, “The world is getting smaller.” With global populations increasing and businesses getting larger the economy is constantly changing. In this program, students can learn about what business is and and where it is conducted. One might also find out about the fascinating cultures of other countries along with the do’s and dont’s of making business in other countries.“ Climate, culture, and a little bit about the environment,” are also a major section in the course stated Razzino. “The multicultural classroom is a learning experience,” itself Razzino mentioned. Aside from the amazing classroom environment, this class will also give you the experience outside of the classroom. Last year, the class had taken a trip to the Boston port to experience how the imports and exports coming and leaving from Boston work. Along with this trip, they experienced a tour of the Asahi America company located right in Malden. This class would be helpful to take if one might plan on studying abroad in college or to grasp a better understanding about businesses around the world.

Technology Management and Career Preparation

Thinking about what to do after high school? Have enough knowledge about the real world to succeed? Taking the technology management and career preparation course is great for planning for the future by learning how to research careers, how to conduct a resume, and learn skills for ace-ing interviews. For the planning of getting a job any time soon, one might consider taking this class for an extra boost at success. The skills taught in this class can be applied to real life situations, and help one explore the work field. Aside from job preperation, other helpful lessons taught in the course are basics in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, which can be used anywhere, whether at work, home or school.

Hospitality and Tourism

Like to travel? Want to know more about restaurants, hotels, or transportation? Malden High School’s hospitality and tourism course is a course for just that. In this class, students will “get acquainted with and meet people in the industry,” as stated by MHS Business teacher, Beth Horowitz. Ever wonder what the impact of tourism has on our environment? This course focuses on everything from discovering a vacation getaway and the activities involved in staying abroad, and creating projects online using Wikispaces and Web 2.0 tools like Glogster, Sliderocket, and Animoto. This year’s hospitality and tourism class got to experience hands-on activities in the MHS cafeteria. The class also learned about what being a travel agent is all about by getting an inside look at Boston hotels, such as the Radisson and the Boston Park Plaza. This field trip included behind-the-scene looks at the inner workings of hotels, the Ballroom and Presidential suites. This is a great class for aspiring travel agents.

A Look into the Diversity at MHS

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:46:36 +0000

Kristen Leonard, Sumya Mohiuddin

Getting to know the stories of each individual that has moved to America under personal conditions makes it is easier for Michal Berdugo to relate to this “more sensitive” issue. Berdugo’s father is an immigrant from Morocco, allowing her to relate well to her students’ transitions.
Realizing that teaching ELL students was what she wanted to do, she started her first year at Watertown. Berdugo worked with adults who payed for private lessons, and she definitely saw the difference between teaching adults and students because it is law that these students come to school. She knew that there was a “high need” to teach these immigrants who come every year.
Berdugo strives to do her best to get these students to reach their goals. “To navigate and be productive outside of the school walls in the community and to go on to college and higher education” are some major goals for her students specifically. It is much harder for these students to stick with those goals because they all have that one extra mile to go: learning English.
Four language skills, speaking, listening, reading, and writing, are required to teach to these students. Group work and oral pieces, which are listening practices, are used. Berdugo includes “a lot of visuals” to help the students further.
If anything, ELL classes “build on backgrounds,” as Berdugo simply stated. These students are proud of where they came from, and are not afraid to share their stories.

Above is a map displaying the birth cities for MHS students.

Patricia Ayala Rodriguez in front of the El Salvadorian flag.

Profile: Patricia Rodriquez

Coming from a strict and violent country has made Patricia Rodriguez Ayala anything but hopeless. From first glance, it is hard to imagine the struggles she overcame and still has to endure.
Malden High School definitely impacted Ayala’s life in a positive way. Fellow ELL students have been understanding towards everything she is going through. “My friends are nice, and they help me,” stated Ayala appreciatively. Although her friends in her ELL classes do not have the same classes as her, she has found many ways to make her high school experience a good one. She has learned that violence is never the answer, and there are people out there that want to help.
Back in El Salvador, violence was so common that she eventually got used to it. Interestingly, it is common for students to carry drugs and weapons. The logic of the situation is that the students pay for school so it is considered acceptable for the students to carry around anything they want; if a principal tries to interfere with a situation like this, students may attempt to kill him. Shockingly, Ayala kept her calm demeanor, she explained how it was “scary,” but she got used to it.
“Police officers were useless; [they] were one to hundreds, [and stood no chance].” As religion is a major component in the lives of most El Salvadorians, Ayala expresses her school “want[ing] more Catholics,” as they felt this would help rid some of the violence.
Although violence occurred around every corner, education in El Salvador was very strict. Uniforms and ties were demanded, and attendance was strict. Additionally, Ayala explains how “understanding the reading and grammar and conversations [in English is] difficult,” therefore she is working her hardest to learn the language, and has definitely come a long way.
Ayala’s transition from El Salvador to America has been difficult, but she is thankful to no longer be studying in her home country. At a glimpse, freshmen are required to take 16 classes, 20 classes for the next three years, and school starts at 6:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., with about a two hour break for lunch. Although many people attend high school in El Salvador, Ayala states how MHS is “bigger than an El Salvadorian college,” which is something that she is very thankful for, as there is much more opportunities for her in America than back in her home country.
Currently, Ayala lives with her parents, and her younger sister, who attends Salemwood, with an older sister back in El Salvador.
By far, her ELL classes help her “feel more comfortable here,” at MHS. Speech and communication played important factors in her high school life, and she improved greatly as English is “not easy” and “completely new,” for Ayala. She exemplifies a student who can overcome her challenges and truly excell. Looking back on her experience, Ayla stated “if you are motivated and you really want to learn [English], you can do it,” as she had done herself.

A Day in the Life of an ELL Student

James Lafortune in front of the Haitian flag

Being an ELL student at Malden High School does not hold back sophomore Patricia Rodriguez Ayala from fitting in with the typical MHS crowd. Her classes are the same classes other MHS students take, except for her English class, which is an ELL class.

When the schedule falls to a day four at MHS, Rodriguez can be found in her English class with teacher Michal Berdugo. In this class Rodriguez is surrounded by other ELL students who are just like her, and who were born in a different country and moved to America for more opportunities. The main goal for these students is to be able to learn and communicate in English fluently. Rodriguez happens to be in ELL three, which is one of the higher levels of the ELL classes.

Yannon Xie in front of the Chinese flag

Once the bell rang after the first period of the day Rodriguez headed off to her period five Biology class taught by Diem Ho. When Diem asked the class for answers Rodriguez’s hand shot up and she answered the question with ease. Then the whole class also got the opportunity go to the computer loft to explore some websites about the subject they were currently working on: Mitosis and Meiosis.

After Biology was over, it was on to Rodriguez’s period six class: US History I. Once again Rodriguez provided aid to another student who was struggling with the material. Not only is Rodriguez helpful, but is also friendly to other students without being disruptive. The topics the class explored that day were the Bill of Rights and other amendments of the Constitution.

Joao Sequeira in front of the Cape Verde flag

When long block rolled around Rodriguez was faced with a test in her period seven class: Geometry. The test was on special right triangles and Rodriguez felt that the test was easy. Math seems to be rodriguez’s strongest subject since she had already learned that material in El Salvador.

Then it was time for Rodriguez’s period one class: Italian I. Rodriguez showed her confidence by raising her hand and writing her answers to the Do Now up on the board. The fear of getting the answers wrong did not seem to phase Rodriguez. This seemed to be a pattern throughout the day.

For her last class of the day Rodriguez headed off to her period two class: Health, taught by Kathleen Devito. During this 45-minute block, the class watched a movie about teen dating violence called “No One Would Tell.”

Ihab Abu-Al Racheb in front of the Jordan flag

The class that did not fall on this day due to the rotation was Rodriguez’s period three class, which is her other ELL class with Berdugo. Once you spend time with an ELL student and see what their day is like at MHS, you realize that ELL students are no different than anyone else. They attend the same classes, do the same work, and walk in the same hallways as any other student at MHS. The only difference is, these students have had an incredible journey from their home country to here, in the United States.

New School Counseling Blog

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:36:44 +0000

Lesley Ta

With the recent launch of counseling blogs in Burlington High School and Melrose High School, Malden High School has officially created their own blog site as well. MHS has published a counseling blog, which will allow MHS parents and students to post public information if they wish to seek out guidance information of the school.
As MHS is beginning to use the internet much more, such as having a greater selection of available online courses in Virtual High School, creating Wikispaces, and using Google Docs, Manjula Karamcheti, Director of Guidance for Malden Public Schools, felt as though it would be a great idea for guidance to begin to transition online as well.

Together, Freshman Guidance Counselor for Holland and Boyle House, Alison Fornash, and Freshman Guidance Counselor for Jenkins and Brunelli House, Matthew Sadowski, volunteered to complete the project of creating the blog. Fornash had previous experience in designing and developing blogs, as she has one documenting her personal experience with fitness. Both counselors have interned for Boyle House Guidance Counselor, Erin Craven, last year, and began working on the blog site earlier this school year.

Karamcheti stated that the “blog is our way of telling students what they can take advantage of. It’s one of our many vehicles of communication, and one that we really want students to use.” Since so many students are constantly using the internet, whether they are using it for Google, Facebook, or Twitter, the Guidance Department “felt that it was best if [they] did something online as well,” Karamcheti added.

The blog will contain “information for all grades,” she commented, which will be “available to both students and parents.”
With the blog up and running, the Guidance Department really hopes that “all 1,800 students … go on the website and subscribe, [because] it’s really easy to do.” The major goal of the website is “for students and parents to stay informed, because the website has all the resources necessary, whether it’s about academics, careers, or college [information],” Karamcheti concluded.

Ashly Brun Sweeps POL Finals

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:13:27 +0000

Amanda Rosatone, Amanda Moraes

Hours of practice, constant recitation of poems, and much needed peer encouragement is only a few of the very vital steps in preparing for the school wide competition of Poetry Out Loud. The second and last round of the poetry recitation contest took place on Jan. 25, 2012 where all of the period winners competed against each other for a place in advancing to the next level of competition.
The week before winter vacation, Malden High School held the first round of the competition.The period winners recited their poems in front of over 500 people including staff and students. The 14 students reciting their poems represented all four grades.

Halfway through the hour and a half competition the crowd was given a treat; seven teachers came on stage to take a crack at what they had been watching students do. English teacher, Natalia Santiago said that she volunteered to recite her poem because she had watched her students put in “so much work,” and that she thought it was only fair for her to endure as much as they all had. However, one of the challenges she faced was actually going up and reciting her poem. Santiago said that she was “really nervous.” She said that she completed the well known SOAPSTONE chart in her head and had a clear understanding of her poem but actually going up on stage was an experience being a teacher did not prepare her for.

One of the competitors, freshman Sebastian Patino, was really nervous for both competitions. He also comments that he was surprised when he found out he had moved on from the period competition, however, he was happy to be able to “represent the freshman class.” Although it was not his initial intention to move so far, Patino was “honored” to be able to compete with so many “amazing and talented” people. To many, one of the hardest parts of the competitions would be memorizing the two poems, but surprisingly enough, Patino found that to be quite easy, because of his previous engagement in plays and his love of music.

The overall school winner was junior Ashly Brun, who said that even though initially, she did not expect to come so far it “felt good” and that she “really likes poetry.” Like Patino, Brun comments that because of her love of poetry, it was “not hard” for her to memorize the two poems she needed to recite for the competition. Brun enjoys poetry so much because she believes that poetry “helps people bring out their voices.” Like Santiago, Brun felt she needed “a lot of courage” to go up on stage and recite her poem in front of so many people. She prepared with the help of her English teacher Margaret Pettit who was “very involved.” Brun also prepared by reciting in front of everyone she could and reading the poem to herself any opportunity she got.

Italy Cruise Disaster

The Blue and Gold Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:17:56 +0000

Jason Drapinski

On Jan. 13, 2012 the luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia left the port Civitavecchia, just outside Rome in Italy. Just two and a half hours after departure, the ship ran aground on the coast of the Italian island Giglio, off the coast of the Tuscan city of Grosetto. The hit caused a massive gash in the hull.

After the impact, Francesco Schettino, the captain, continued to sail the ship for a half hour. Then Schettino turned the ship to attempt at docking at the port on the island of Giglio. At this time the crew told the passenger that everything is under control and to return to their cabins.

As the ship kept taking water throughout the hole in the hull, the ship began to lean. Passengers started to abandon ship, but the life boats were so difficult to use because the ship was leaning at such an angle, making it harder to climb into a lifeboat and lowering down to the water. Eventually, the ship was completely on it’s right side.

Despite the many passengers in need of rescue, Schettino jumped into a lifeboat and went ashore. He has made multiple excuses as to why, including “‘I only left because I fell into lifeboat when ship listed suddenly as I was trying to help.” Many believe Captain Schettino is a coward. The Coast Guard even called him over the phone to “get back on board, damn it” in a traced phone call.

Many people have been reported missing. Rescue efforts were sent into the shipwreck to search for survivors and the dead. Currently, the total of known deaths is 17, but there is still 16 missing.

Surviving passengers of the wrecked Costa Concordia filed a lawsuit against the Carnival Cruise Line, the parent company to the Costa Concordia.

The lawsuit filed called for a jury trial and requested service from Costa cruises and the Carnival Cruise Line. The suit was filed in Florida, where Carnival Cruise Line is headquartered. It blames the cruise ship operators on several crimes, including “maritime negligence,” “gross negligence,” “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and “negligent retention.”

Costa had reported it was rendering each of about 3,200 passengers a total of 11,000 euros ($14,400), for their loss of property and emotional distress, as well as a refund of costs.

Meanwhile, in Italy, the captain of the Costa Concordia, Francesco Schettino, is under arrest and in trial for charges of manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning ship.

Schettino has admitted to the public that he made a “mistake” in setting the ship aground.
The removal of the ship has been postponed due to weather and rough seas. The search continues for survivors.

As the hundredth anniversary to the mega-steam cruiser Titanic’s sinking approaches, an Italian cruise liner the Costa Concordia ran aground off of the Tuscan island of Giglio on Januarary 13, 2012.