Professional Documents
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TO THE COMMUNITIES OF STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TRIBECA, AND BATTERY PARK CITY March 29, 2007
“Your School, Your World—Your News” Visit us at: www.stuystandard.org VOL. 6, No. 12
SING Article
by Jennifer Schlesinger,
editor in chief
EDITORIAL
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD
Founded 2001
Source: 1010Wins
finalists, six were female. Intel nearly two hours before it was three minutes after they were
Chairman Craig Barrett said he extinguished by 150 firefighters. called and faced other obstacles,
was “heartened by the fact that The severity of the fire was such as a chained door in the back
more women were finalists and top worsened not by the size of the of the house. However, the
10 winners this year than in any house, but rather by poor human building did not appear to have any
year since Intel assumed the title oversight. The fire was most likely violations and no complaints were
sponsorship in 1998. When I meet caused by a space heater causing filed regarding unsafe conditions.
young scientists like Mary, John, the building’s wiring to overheat. Nine of the ten victims were
Dmitry and the other Intel STS The building, built in 1901, had children. One of them survived the
finalists, I know that the future of only one staircase and no fire fire but later died at the hospital. A
American innovation is bright.” ◙ escapes, making it difficult for the funeral was held for the victims on
The severity of the fire was worsened
by poor human oversight.
AUTONOMY I.B.M. contract, acknowledging INTEL CHAMPION Other projects studied the per-
continued from page 1 the complaints of no-bid contracts. continued from page 1 sonalities of humans. Ashley Bah-
Last year, a $15.6 million no-bid nkan tried to find answers about
allow the city to see every contract with consulting firm Alva- Stanley Teitel, principal of certain behaviors of firstborn chil-
individual student’s progress in rez Marsal was signed. In an effort Stuyvesant, expressed similar feel- dren. Other ideas were more fun
school. The program will be to help save money for the admini- ings. “They are not going to allow and theoretical. Daniel Mark, for
running by September and will stration, Alvarez Marshal advised me to monopolize this competi- example, used math to prove that
give each principal a letter grade a change in bus routes. The ad- tion, and I think that’s wonderful,” aliens would not be able to use
from A to F to show if principals ministration supported the idea, he said. modern technology to monitor the
are meeting the standard education leading to complaints from angry Natalie Kvetyana, a senior Earth.
performance. parents and coun- who participated in this year’s The Intel competition has
Principals who fail competition, said, “We might have
can be removed
“Starting September cil members.
started off the Intel roller coaster,
been a success since it was
Councilmen Jack- founded in 1941. Six Intel
from their schools. 2008, even parents son and Garodnick but more schools are jumping finalists have gone on to win
Starting September can track their both used the inci- aboard. It doesn’t matter. All of us Nobel Peace Prizes. But more
2008, even parents dent as a reason in love to do research.” importantly, the competition has
can track their
child’s progress us- This year’s finalists have
rejecting the deci- motivated students all around the
child’s progress ing the system” sion to increase made significant attempts in con- nation to conduct research and
using the system. principals’ auton- tributing to science. Some created contribute to the world. In the
James Liebman, the school system omy. Many council members are devices that would help the dis- words of Leon M. Lederman, a
chief’s accountability officer stated upset and concerned that the ad- abled. For example, John Granata Physics Nobel laureate, “We also
that the administration has already ministration chose not to discuss created a device that allows dis- have to have innovation if we’re
received 19 bids from major the changes concerning the princi- abled persons to communicate going to survive, so you have to
technology systems regarding the pals with them and the parents. ◙ using brain waves. nurture the gifted kids.” ◙
4 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD February 8, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 10 NEWS/OPINION
OPINIONS
Why the STUY VOICE
Disregarding All Direction
‘F-Word’? by Amna Ahmad, columnist Don’t ask the person giving you
the survey any questions. Do not
would indeed be evident, and I am
nearly certain that reading
by David Mannes, staff writer Our lives are centered largely answer any questions. Then hand directions would be the last thing
around exams. We learn to know in your paper.” Interestingly on students’ minds, as they
Recently, at the Conservative the College Board better than our enough, 76 percent of students disregard all directions to show off
Political Action Conference, Ann own grandparents. We go to prep chose to answer the questions pro- what they “really” know, as if it
Coulter enraged many people with programs, forcing our parents to vided on the test paper when all mattered.
the following comment: “I was invest ridiculous sums of money to they needed to do to pass was Needless to say, the students
going to have a few comments on improve our test-taking abilities. In write their name, leaving the ques- taking my “exam” displayed some
the other Democratic presidential fact, we are so concentrated on tions blank. inappropriate behavior. As the test
candidate John Edwards, but it test-taking that we are able to sit I think that perhaps it is fair to “proctor” I was bombarded with
turns out you have to go into rehab glued to the seat of a cold, rusty attribute this trend of tackling the questions although the directions
if you use the word ‘f-----,’ so I — metal chair conveniently decorated questions first rather than reading had overtly stated that students
so kind of an impasse, can’t really with assortments of gum and graf- the directions to the idea that the were not permitted to ask me any
talk about Edwards.” fiti for three hours or sometimes main goal of tests is to get the right questions. In addition to the shak-
It was pointless for Coulter to more just to make a few marks on answers. Yet on some tests there ing, twitching, and sweating that I
call John Edwards this word. She paper. It is my personal opinion are multiple correct answers, but had witnessed throughout the
clearly has strong political be- that tests are generally neither a just one that is “the most correct,” course of administering the tests, I
liefs, and is most likely capable measure of competency in a field, as can be seen in the critical read- watched as students aggressively
of presenting an intelligent argu- nor credible in deciphering intelli- ing section of the SAT, for in- chewed on the pens that I had
ment. While that would not have gence. Accordingly, I decided to stance. Test answers over the years given them to use. When I re-
gotten her as much publicity as give a focus group of Stuyvesant have also been written biasedly, minded one student that the pen
her controversial joke, it would students the first fair test that they utilizing subjective terms that we she was chewing on was mine, she
have probably convinced a lot had probably ever encountered. are all too commonly expected to hastily removed the pen from her
more people to agree with her. Unfortunately, the majority of stu- identify, although such terms can- mouth and made a gesture as
In her defense Coulter said dents failed. not logically be presented in con- though she were shamefully offer-
that the word is a “schoolyard The test that I had adminis- junction with facts, but rather opin- ing it back, slobber and all. I’m not
taunt.” She also said that she was- tered served no purpose other than ions on a topic. sure if pen-loaners are typically
n’t speaking in a way that was to test the ability of students to Perhaps I hadn’t noticed what expected to accept chewed-up pens
offensive to homosexuals, but follow directions. I gave the stu- a nervous test taker looked like, or back from those who borrowed
rather to suggest that John Ed- dents a test paper and told each of the extent of blatancy of our them, but I surely did not.Fo◙l l o we d
wards is a “wuss.” them these exact words: “Fill this obsession with tests, because I had
Sadly, this horrible word has out and follow directions. You are di r e c t i ons
never actually had a chance to look ( P a sse d
become a schoolyard taunt, a fact not allowed to ask me any ques- t e st )
around the room at all of my
that anyone walking around Stuy- tions.” The directions on the test D i d n ot
classmates during a test, but I f ol l ow
vesant can attest to. However, paper were as follows “Put your assume that similar behaviors di r e c t i ons
I’ve heard students at Stuyvesant name on the top of the paper. ( Fa i l e d
Although Coulter shouldn’t Sconex are just a few of the an unnecessary distraction from
have used the word in reference websites that teenagers use daily more important things like
to John Edwards, she clearly did- to find friends or potential mates. family, friends and schoolwork.
n’t mean what she said as an in- Personal information such as their Online predators are more
sult to homosexuals. John Ed- full name, age, home address and common than they used to be,
wards is married with kids, so the even cell phone number are mainly due to the fact that
insult wasn’t directed at Edwards’ shown to attract web users. As if teenagers are more trusting of
sexuality. In addition, Coulter that isn’t enough, teenagers post “outsiders.” At first, predators
stood up for gay rights at another suggestive photos of themselves pretend to be friendly, accepting
point in the same speech. Although the Internet is a great tool
for information, online predators may for the world to see. This and sympathetic people. As their
Coulter did make one really abundant amount of information relationship develops into
use information posted on online com-
good point about the joke, and munities to their advantage. might be useful for a fellow something more complex, the
that was that it wasn’t only a joke classmate to contact that predator will pounce and pressure
about John Edwards. The state- individual for homework help or its “prey” in illicit activities by
by Hui Ting Jiang, staff writer
ment was also mocking the fact clarification on a lesson. providing money, lavish gifts,
that an actor on the show Grey’s The Internet is probably one However, that is not the case attention and promiscuously
Anatomy, Isaiah Washington, of the greatest inventions ever. It most of the time. Information, taken photos. Usually, teenagers
was forced to receive counseling not only connects people halfway such as that listed above, is cave into the pressure and
after calling a fellow actor this around the world, but also allows usually used by predators and unwillingly do things they
degrading term. The people who information to be sent in bulk stalkers to follow their prey. normally would not do.
got angry over what she said instead of the old-fashioned mail An anonymous freshman A show recently done by
overreacted to a joke about how or fax. The Internet is not only a confided to me that she stalks NBC called “To Catch A Predator
form of exchanging ideas, but a “[her] crush on MySpace and
form of sharing information as Facebook every single day.” This
VULGARITY well. Sadly, this information is is not only indicative of a ONLINE PERILS
continues on page 2 sometimes illicit or inaccurate. continues on page 2
4 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD February 8, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 10 NEWS/OPINION
VUGLARITY
continued from page 1 HPV: The Human “Promiscuity”
people overreact when the word
is used.
Coulter’s intention in making
Virus Vaccine?
this joke was to get publicity. by Alvis Yuen, columnist push for mandatory vaccination, rusty nails. On the flip side, the
She could have easily insulted for fear of reprisal from vaccine could serve as a deterrent
Edwards and mocked what hap- Every year, 250,000 women unsupportive parents. of sex; the vaccine is a constant
pened to Isaiah Washington in die from cervical cancer It is absurd to oppose reminder that sexual behavior can
two separate jokes. She chose to worldwide. In the last decade, mandatory HPV vaccination on lead to cancer. I hope people can
say something controversial, and scientists have discovered that the grounds that the vaccine throw away their sensitivity to the
to see how many people would more than 70 percent of cervical would promote promiscuity. If sexual aspects of the vaccine.
become infuriated over a joke cancers are caused by HPV, the there were a better reason, such This vaccine is like any other
about how society overreacts to human papillomavirus. In 2006, as possible damage to the body, it vaccine a person gets as a young
controversial statements. ◙ the FDA approved a vaccine that would be reasonable to oppose child.
would prevent cervical cancer by mandatory vaccination. Millions If parents choose to believe
ONLINE PERILS stopping HPV. Studies have shown of dollars were invested to invent that the HPV vaccine promotes
continued from page 1 that the vaccine was over 95 the vaccine. It is a disgrace to sexual promiscuity, consider this:
percent effective in preventing label the lifeblood of scientists as would you rather your daughter
III” illustrated tactics that online cervical cancer. The only
predators use to lure susceptible something promoting die from cervical cancer, or have
requirement of the vaccine is that it promiscuous behavior, when their sex? ◙
teenagers. Initially, the predator must be administered before any
introduces him/herself as a aim was to save lives. It is an
sexual activity to prevent previous insult to the victims of cervical
prospective friend that would do transmission of the virus.
nothing to harm them and cancer when parents refused the
With the advent of the HPV potentially life-saving vaccine
everything to benefit them. As the vaccine, states have considered
friendship progresses, he or she because it might promote
making the HPV vaccine a part of promiscuity.
will slowly incorporate topics the regular vaccination schedule
about sex into conversations. This I ask everyone who opposes
for young girls. The first state to mandatory vaccination to
is a major red flag in identifying make HPV vaccination
predators, but teenagers’ interest reconsider their unfair assessment
mandatory was Texas. However, of the vaccine. First of all, the
in such matters will often despite the benefits of the
overcome their instincts. Soon, vaccine only prevents one
vaccine, some parents are disease, cervical cancer. If the
the predator will suggest a secret opposed to mandatory HPV
meeting for the two to meet, teen was to have sex, there are
vaccination. In traditional areas, many other risks and STDs, such
which later may culminate in such as the Bible Belt in the
sexual activities. NBC as syphilis, gonorrhea, and
South, the vaccine is opposed herpes, to consider. The idea that
correspondent Chris Hansen primarily because parents are
caught fifty men trying to engage the HPV encourages sexual Gardasil, the world’s first cervical
afraid that the new vaccine will behavior is as crazy as the idea
minors in sexual activity. cancer vaccine, is on display during its
make adolescents more bold and that a tetanus vaccine would launch in Sydney. It aims to halt the
Surprisingly, all fifty men more likely to have sex. As a
pleaded not guilty in court. ◙ encourage people to step on more spread of HPV, which causes cervical
result, legislators are reluctant to cancer.
Why isn’t the college office writ- FERRER Diana 236L 2383
ing SSR's?
Who knows better than the college
office what the colleges are look- GUTHRIE Undine 236A 2362
ing for in an SSR?
SCIENCE
IN MEMORY OF
GABRIEL BLITZ AND EUGENE MARSHALIK
It is with deep sadness that The Stuyvesant Standard marks the death of Gabriel and I went to the same middle school, Manhattan East (M.E.).
Gabriel Blitz, a member of the Stuyvesant High School Class of 2008 and Although he was two years older than I, I remember seeing him when he
Eugene Marshalik, a member of the Class of 2005. Marshalik was a student came back to visit M.E. in his freshman and sophomore years. I am a very
at New York University and an auxiliary police officer. He was killed in a garrulous person, so, naturally, I was inclined to ask him what high school
shooting in Greenwich Village while on patrol. he now attended and other such things. I think that was when I first decided
to call him the “Green Guy” and that name stuck with him. He told me
about his love of reptiles and herpetology and that explained the green
jacket that I will always remember him by. He was one of the nicest, most
sincere people. Then, when I came to Stuyvesant, I frequently saw him in
the hallways and always talked to him in between classes. It led to some
random (but meaningful) conversations about everything and nothing. It
was great. The last time I talked to him was on the platform of the 1 and 2
trains. We talked about how we have the same initials and the cool things
one can find on the Staten Island Ferry. I even remember his way of
waving “hello” which, for lack of better words, is best described as wiping
a window (without moving the wrist). He was also one of the very few
people at Stuy who reside in the Bronx and I always saw him as my fellow
Bronx-ite. Now every time I see someone with a green jacket in the
hallway, I think that maybe it’s Gabriel and that all of this has been just a
terrible misunderstanding. I start walking faster, to catch up to that
mysterious person who could put an end to this nightmare, and I am only
saddened to see that it’s not him. It’s not Gabriel.
I am very happy to have known him. I only wish that I could have spent
more time with him. I miss you, Green Guy.
Guergana Borissova