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Changes in Colleges: Yale and Summer Movie Preview Stop Apathy ARISTA Elections

MIT A&E Opnions News


News
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THE STUYVESANT STANDARD


TO THE COMMUNITIES OF STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TRIBECA, AND BATTERY PARK CITY May 17, 2007
“Your School, Your World—Your News” Visit us at: www.stuystandard.org VOL. 6, No. 14

How Good is Stuyvesant College


High School? Night: A
(DOE) recently paid a consultant from Cambridge Success for
Education in Great Britain to evaluate different public
schools. The DOE wanted school administrators,
students, and parents alike to be able to see how their the Future
school is doing beyond test scores. The DOE’s
director of school quality said, “If you have students
by Kenneth Lam, staff writer
who are self-motivated and no matter who you put in
front of them, they will still achieve . . . it doesn't On May 3, sophomores and
necessarily mean that the school is doing a great job,” juniors crowded Stuyvesant at
reflecting the view that test scores do not always 6:30 p.m. to take their first steps
present an accurate picture. towards their futures. College
Stuyvesant received a mark of proficient out of Night consisted of five
the three possible marks: well-developed, proficient, information sessions, during
and undeveloped. The overall rating came from rat- which students could learn about
ings in 28 categories. Stuyvesant received the rating various national and international
Despite its strong standardized testing records, Stuyvesant of competent in 19 of these categories and poor in one colleges from representatives.
High School was only given a marl of proficient. of them. The first four sessions were
by Jennifer Schlesinger, All together, 490 schools in New York City formal information sessions:
editor in chief were evaluated. Forty-nine percent of these schools representatives provided
were found to be proficient, 42.2 percent were found information in brief
to be well developed, and only 8.8 percent were found presentations. The fifth session
Stuyvesant High School is the premiere high
to be undeveloped. was an informal session, where
school in New York City, where students receive an
The score of proficient means that Stuyvesant is students could go up to the
education at one of the highest levels possible. Correct?
conveying high expectations to students and parents, representatives and ask any
Maybe not.
The New York City Department of Education questions they wanted. While
SUYTVESANT continues on page 4 academics and admissions
statistics were on many students’

Newly Discovered Planet


minds, representatives also
discussed life on campus, and the
many ways that college can affect
a student. As junior Chaitanya
by Rammiya Nallainathan Just a few months ago, many be considered a planet anymore Medicherla put it, “Information
Staff writer scientists all over the world agreed because it was too small in size. about colleges can be easily
upon the fact that Pluto would not Now, scientists have come across a found in any handbook, but
new planet that may change the through this college night, we can
way we view the solar system. actually find out what we want to
Check out the Standard’s cov- This planet is the third planet of
the red dwarf star Gliese 581, so it
know, not just some statistics on
acceptance rates.” Indeed, many
is being called Gliese 581c.
erage of Taste of Chinatown! Since the 1990s, scientists
from around the world have been
students did ask questions about
colleges that simply could not be
answered by a book.
finding extrasolar planets, or
“exoplanets”: planets that orbit
stars besides our own sun. This COLLEGE NIGHT
number has reached well over 220 continues on page 3
over the past 17 years. Just a week
or two ago, astronomers from
Europe were excited to announce
that they had found an Earth-like
planet, Gliese 581c. The announce-
ment was given at the European
Southern Observatory in Garching,
Germany. The planet was said to
have been detected through the
most sensitive spectrophotometer
at an observatory’s main telescope
The Taste of Chinatown photo essay Stuyvesant hosted college night, allow-
ing juniors and parents the opportunity
can be found on page 5 NEW PLANET to speak directly to over 150 college
continues on page 9 and university representatives.
2 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD


 
Founded 2001 EDITORIAL
 
THE STUDENT UNION
“Your School, Your World—Your News”
Recently, the Student Union agreed to a proposal to carry out Principal
Executive Leadership Team Stanley Teitel’s new locker policy. The specifics are yet to be worked out,
but the basics are this. Each student will be assigned a locker, and will have
DR. JOHN NIKOL FACULTY ADVISER to purchase the combination to the lock the administration has placed on
JENNIFER SCHLESINGER EDITOR IN CHIEF that locker.
ERIC MAYO MANAGING EDITOR
The goal of the new policy is to be able to know which locker belongs
ANGEL WONG CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SANGHEE CHUNG LAYOUT EDITOR to which student. It will end the massive illegal locker switching/stealing at
DANNY ZHU COPY CHIEF the beginning of the year. In addition, it will allow the administration to
JIMMY ZHANG NEWS EDITOR know exactly what’s in everybody’s lockers.
HESHAM SALEH, TIM CHANG ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR The idea is admirable in some ways. If for some reason the administra-
PRISCILLA MELO OPINIONS EDITOR tion needs to get into someone’s locker, no one can be entirely sure what
EMMA RABINOVICH ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR locker that person is actually using. However, there are flaws in the system
RICHARD MAI SPORTS EDITOR which must be addressed.
JOSEPH KRUTOV SCIENCE EDITOR
If the administration has the combination to every locker in the build-
OMAR AHMAD ASSISTANT SCIENCE EDITOR
HANFORD CHIU BUSINESS EDITOR ing, it must take extra care in guarding this information. Earlier in the year,
AMNA AHMAD LITERARY EDITOR new ID cards were reported missing and extra effort was taken to find these
JESSE ZHANG WEBMASTER IDs. If such a list or file were to be compromised, the results would be
ELISSA TAM DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM catastrophic. Someone could conceivably be able to open every locker in
DANIEL EGERS (‘03) FOUNDER the building. This would undermine all the system is made for.
ERNEST BASKIN (‘04) EDITOR EMERITUS It is also disconcerting why exactly the Student Union, which origi-
nally was opposed to this issue, suddenly decided to drop its issue with the
Publication proposal. Student Union President George Zisiadis hopes the administra-
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD is a nonprofit and nonpartisan publication pro- tion explores allowing students to leave the building during their free peri-
duced by the students of Stuyvesant High School. ods. The issue is brought up year after year, and the response is always the
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD distributes 2,000 free copies on a bi-weekly same. Department of Education rules explicitly prohibit students from leav-
basis to the students and faculty of Stuyvesant High School and through- ing the building during a free period. It is inconceivable to think that be-
out the adjoining neighborhoods of TriBeCa and Battery Park City. cause Zisiadis relented on the locker issue that the administration would
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD welcomes letters from its readers. consider breaking DOE policy.
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD reserves the right to edit any published mate- We are also concerned by the lack of communication between the
rial. The viewpoints of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Student Union and the student body. The Student Union is supposed to
the Standard staff. represent student interests. However, what’s happening in the SU is only
available through the student media and inconveniently placed minutes
Copyright ©2006 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD of meetings, as well as social networking sites such as Facebook. The
SU constitution clearly states that the minutes should be posted on the
student union website. A simple step such as this would greatly improve
Contact Us communication between the students and the SU so that the SU is clearly
Please direct all correspondence to: representing the people its members were elected to serve. We hope that
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD in the upcoming elections, the candidates look at ways to reach out and
345 Chambers Street communicate with the student body.
New York, NY 10282-1000 The Stuyvesant Standard
readers@stuystandard.org
Find us on the web at www.stuystandard.org

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Dear Readers,
If you would like to advertise in THE STUYVESANT STANDARD, please e-mail This issue marks a major transition for The Stuyvesant Standard. It
advertising@stuystandard.org to request an advertisement form. We offer is time to wish the best to our graduating editors as a new team is called
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NEWS MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 3

THE STANDARD NEWS


Yale Plans on MIT Officer Resigns
Increasing its After 28-Year Lie
by Neeta Malviya, staff writer Jones’s resignation was

Class Size After working for the Massa-


chusetts Institute of Technology
for almost 30 years, which in-
brought about by a phone call from
an anonymous person who ques-
tioned the authenticity of Jones’s
credentials. The phone call re-
Source: www.yale.edu

Like all other Ivy League cluded serving as the dean of ad- sulted in an investigation by the
schools, Yale considers its repu- missions since 1998, Marilee Jones Dean of Undergraduate Education
tation first. President Richard C. resigned from her position, admit- and a representative from the MIT
Levin plans to set up two com- ting to having fabricated her edu- department of Human Resources.
mittees to assess the impact of cational credentials. Ironically, she Jones was made aware of the accu-
adding two new residential col- has written a book titled “Less sations brought against her in a
leges. One committee would be Stress, More Success,” in which meeting on April 20 and was asked
responsible for examining the she emphasizes the need for integ- to publicly resign. She admitted
impact of increased enrollment on rity and honesty. that she had “misrepresented her
Yale is considering adding more resi- Jones first started working at
the academic programs, while the credentials” and publicized her
dential colleges to its campus after
other committee would be re- MIT in 1979. She supposedly had resignation the next day. Jones
realizing how important it is to a
growing number of applicants. sponsible for examining the over- both master’s and bachelor’s de- released a statement to the commu-
all effects on the student body. grees from Albany Medical Col- nity at MIT saying she “did not
The question is: If Yale were to lege, Union College and Rensse-
by Richard Shyong, staff writer have the courage to correct her
add more colleges to its over- laer Polytechnic Institute. Accord- résumé.” The announcement of the
Yale, one of the most crowded campus, would the ef- ing to officials at issue was not made
prestigious Ivy League schools in fect on the school be positive? MIT, she did not
the country, is considering “We want to be certain that the possess degrees “I don't think that it until MIT had time
to prepare state-
expanding its student body. For a quality of the Yale college ex- from any of will alter my view of ments. According to
long time, Yale has considered perience would be maintained or these institutions the school as a MIT’s website, the
adding more residential colleges enhanced, and not diminished," or from any chancellor stated
to its campus. Only recently, wrote Levin in a letter to Yale other institution whole, but it cer-
that “it was very
however, has Yale realized just College’s dean. for that matter, tainly lowers my important for us to
how important this is as a Recent developments have and she did not
response to a growing number of even possess an
view of the admini- say exactly what
stration. happened and why
applicants, among other reasons. YALE continues on page 5 undergraduate we did it.” Stuart
degree. Accord- Schmill, who is cur-
COLLEGE NIGHT Raheel Anwar put it, “Overall, [it Anisha Kunnel
ing to the regis- rently the director of
Sophomore
continued from page 1 was] a necessary experience for trar at Rensselaer the Educational
every junior or even sophomore.” Polytechnic In- Council, has taken
An event like College Night Not only did College Night stitute, Jones had attended for one the place of Jones.
could not be put together without answer students’ questions, it also year, but had not earned a degree. In response to the news,
the help of the Parents’ Associa- opened up students’ eyes to dif- According to the Chancellor sophomore Anisha Kunnel said,
tion, especially College Committee ferent colleges. Some colleges of MIT, Phillip L. Clay, a college “The news certainly shocked me
cochairs Florrid Levy, Michelle that students may not have heard degree was most probably not re- because of the fact that it was so
Parker, Sherry Lin and Angela of set up shop in Stuyvesant’s quired to gain the secretarial job easy for her to get away with such
Wong. Many nights of hard work classrooms and distributed infor- that Jones held when she first came dishonesty at such a well-known
went into the preparations for the mation about themselves. As a to MIT. Upon being appointed and prestigious institution. I don’t
event, and many phone calls and result, students learned about col- admissions dean, she had been at think that it will alter my view of
connections had to be made. As leges that they never considered the institute for 19 years, so her the school as a whole, but it
Levy stated, “There were two before, expanding their options. credentials were never thoroughly certainly lowers my view of the
months of preparation, ordering While the event was a suc- reviewed. administration.”
items, coordination with school cess, there was still some room
personnel and organizing the small for improvement. One such im-
Source: http://www-tech.mit.edu/V127/N21/graphics/jones-00.html

army of volunteers that happen in provement would have been to, as


the months leading up to Thurs- Anwar said, “Make it start earlier
day.” Representatives of around and end later so we can get more
160 colleges were present at the of a chance to see all the colleges
event, and as a result, many stu- we are interested in.” However,
dents could learn about colleges with the sheer number of colleges
from around the states. present and the number of repre-
The Parents’ Association put sentatives for each college, the
a lot of hard work into this event result was a success.
and students were able to reap the With many students attending
benefits of this event. Many the sessions, some of which were
students found this event helpful standing room only, College
in making decisions about Night offered an excellent win-
colleges they want to attend. The dow into college life and the ad-
information found at these missions process. College Night
information sessions provided also offered a glimpse into what
answers to many questions that the next two years hold for both Former Dean of Admissions Marilee Jones publicly announced her resignation
students may have had. As junior juniors and sophomores. after it ws discovered that she misrepresented her educational information.
4 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 NEWS
STUYVESANT
MEET THE TEACHER PRESENTS:
a different country were to judge
continued from page 1 the school. Social studies teacher
Ellen Schweitzer said, “We don’t

Meet Ms. Dehn-Knight! engaging its students, and that


students respect their principal.
respect what someone thinks who
comes from another country for .
Some of the negative aspects . . a short period of time.”
Name: Gabriele Dehn-Knight Place of Birth: Bad Dürkheim, Germany found were that many teachers However, the rating does
Favorite Food: Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Italian and Mexican lecture students instead of using bring up questions. Many
more innovative teaching students do feel that aspects of
by Tim Chang. methods and that students are Stuyvesant should be changed.
eral places before coming to
assistant news editor Stuyvesant High School. She often under high levels of stress Parents have brought up concerns
taught at Columbia University as and unsure of whom to go to for to the Parents’ Association of
help. large levels of stress experienced
Gabriele Dehn-Knight’s love an adjunct professor, at the New
Many Stuyvesant parents, by students.
of languages and customs makes School for Social Research and at
Deutsches Haus in NYU, and at teachers, and student are upset at The consultant’s opinions on
her a strong member of the lan- Stuyvesant, while surprising to
Packer Collegiate Institute in the rating. They feel that Stuyve-
guage department. Having trav- many, are only one way to
Brooklyn. Dehn-Knight came to sant was not given credit for its
eled to at least 24 different coun- evaluate the school.
tries and speaking no less than Stuyvesant in September of 2003 high standardized test scores.
five different languages, her in- and has been teaching there since. Stuyvesant has100 percent pass-
Comparing the American ing rates on the English and Math Some information from this
terest in cultures is an invaluable
education system to the German Regents. There were also doubts article came from an article
asset to her language classes.
Dehn-Knight grew up in one, Dehn-Knight observed that about how able consultants from published in The Daily News.
southwestern Germany near the “there are so many tests. Germans
Alsatian border. When she was think Americans are suffering
young, she did many exchanges from test mania. It’s less stressful School Ratings
in England and France to improve there [Germany] and the stu-
her language skills. After attend- dents…seem just as well edu-
ing a “gymnasium,” the German cated.”
8.8%
equivalent of middle-school and Dehn-Knight’s hobby of
high-school, Dehn-Knight went travel comes from her love of
for three semesters to Gutenberg cultures. Her first visit abroad
University of Mainz, a day school was when she was 11, when her
for translators and interpreters. parents sent her to a friend’s 42.2%
However, she heard that the house on the Isle of Man to learn well developed
chances of getting an interesting English. She visited France while proficient
job, such as a UN interpreter, learning French in school and undeveloped
after, were rare. Consequently, visited different parts of Spain
Dehn-Knight used her passion for after she started taking Spanish at
49.0%
language and culture to pursue a her university, and eventually
career as a language teacher. She lived in Spain for almost a year
transferred to the University of after receiving a scholarship to
Hamburg, where she graduated study at the University of Gra-
with a master’s degree in foreign nada. When not traveling abroad,
language teaching. Dehn-Knight also enjoys yoga,
Dehn-Knight taught at sev- homeopathy, music, and espe-
cially nature.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT: Tony Blair Gets the


Junior State of America Boot
by Yana Gontcharova. D.C., is unique; here, members
staff writer have a Congress-styled debate. by Emma Rabinovich. enough opposition to take over as
They play the roles of politicians A&E Editor leader (the strongest contenders,
Those students who like to and, along with debating, try to including Blairite John Reid,
argue and discuss political issues write and pass their own resolu- Last September, Tony Blair have all ruled themselves out,
may be interested in joining JSA, tions to the topics being debated. announced his upcoming exit after leaving only the far left
the Junior State of America. This Members must not only create ten years in office. Publicly challengers). If Brown does
organization combines both these bills, but also convince condemned for his use of “spin” become Prime Minister, he still
interests by holding debates on other members why they are su- and the decision to join the United faces the tough task of having to
i mp or t an t p ol i t i c al i s s ue s perior to all other bills on the States in Iraq, Blair’s personal reunite his disjointed party.
affecting our society today. Every floor. The third conference, popularity has been rapidly Meanwhile, Labor faces an uphill
Wednesday, the club meets to which is similar to the first, is dropping since the last election in battle even with the departure of
debate a variety of topics, such as held during the spring in Stan- 2005. What his resignation as its now somewhat unpopular
global warming or the war in ford, Connecticut. leader of the ruling Labor Party, leader. The midterm elections in
Iraq. The purpose of these Besides debating, members and thereby Prime Minister of the beginning of May resulted in
meetings is to sharpen members’ who attend the conferences listen Britain, will do for his party in the major losses, especially in once-
debate skills in preparation for to eminent speakers giving their next election in 2009 has yet to solid Scotland.
three out-of-school conferences, views on many important issues been seen or if his most likely The future of Tony Blair is
which club members attend. debated by real politicians. successor, Gordan Brown, is up to uncertain. At 54, he is still
The first conference is held Depending on the circumstances, the task of leading Labor to a younger than many of his prede-
in the fall and is hosted in Bos- members may even get to meet fourth straight victory. cessors when they first took of-
ton. Members formally debate these speakers face-to-face. Brown was practically hand- fice, but picking a new direction
today’s controversial hot topics. Anyone interested in joining picked by Blair, and his after Downing Street will defi-
The second conference, held dur- this club should contact Mor challengers within the party are
ing the winter in Washington, Rosenberg on Facebook or on unlikely to be able to muster
AIM as RichgalPP. BLAIR continues on page 5
NEWS MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 5
BLAIR
ARISTA Elections: Fighting for Votes, continued from page 4

With Honor nitely pose a challenge. Brown


will most likely wish to win the
next election without him, having
by Dennis Ng, staff writer the past few days, in addition to As I was taking the train home been overshadowed by Blair’s
campaigning for myself, I also was with friends after the long election charisma for the past decade. The
Should I run for an ARISTA persuaded by other candidates to process, I was wondering who UN is unlikely to offer any pros-
office and take command of the vote for them. Like many other were the winners, something eve- pects because of Blair’s decisions
society or should I just participate members, I already had ideas of ryone else was wondering, but in Iraq, and following in Bill
in events as a general member? As whom I would vote for, but never- more specifically if I was a winner. Clinton’s footsteps with an auto-
the deadline loomed for ARISTA theless I carefully listened to each The winners received calls from biography could prove dangerous
election platform submissions, candidate’s speech. the ARISTA Executive Council for his party.
many members wondered if they When it was finally my turn to (EC) several hours later. At around Blair’s record has been a
should apply. It wasn’t easy to be speak, I slowly walked up the 8:45 that evening, the new officers topic of great debate ever since he
chosen as a candidate from a pool stage and started speaking. I were officially announced via e- announced his departure. Young
of applicants, let alone be elected. continued for over three minutes. mail. and charismatic when he entered
Because some office positions Three minutes: it was just enough Although the elections are over, office in 1997, he was the
were short on applicants, members time to introduce myself, describe there is still much work for both epitome of change and looking
were given an additional week to my background and provide a the incoming and outgoing ECs forward but many claim that he
apply. On April 20, the scope of what I would do for this year. In the next few weeks, has not used the opportunities
painstakingly chosen candidates ARISTA Tutoring if I were the two ECs will be meeting to afforded to him wisely. His
were announced. Candidates elected. All other candidates were prepare for a change in leadership. greatest achievement, bringing
started campaigning the following also allotted three minutes to The induction ceremony for new new stability to Northern Ireland,
Monday, putting up countless address the audience, except the members and the new EC is sched- will surely remain the crown
posters on walls and asking friends pairs for president and vice uled for May 29. In early June, jewel of his legacy. Meanwhile,
to vote for them in school and on president, who were allowed five applications will be available for his reform bills and attempts to
Facebook, as well as announcing minutes to talk. committees of the different offi- help the poor of England have
their candidacy in class. Finally, Although most members were cers. Final decisions will be an- had varying levels of success.
the long-awaited election arrived at the elections, the attendance rate nounced later in the month. While the poor are in fact much
on Wednesday, April 25, after was a bit disappointing. Many The Stuyvesant Standard congratu- better off than they were ten years
school. seats were unoccupied, probably lates the winners and new mem- ago as Blair claims, the gap
As I sat in the front row wait- because some students were on bers! between classes has actually
ing to make my speech for my class trips or were participating in Dennis Ng is a member of grown. Education reform has
campaign, I wondered who would PSAL games.. Seniors were not ARISTA, a member of the been equally questionable as
win. After I worked hard to cam- allowed to vote as they would no society’s Tutoring Committee, schools have seen some
paign and earn as many votes as I longer be part of the organization and the Vice President for improvements, but class size not
could, I really wanted to win. Over next year. Tutoring 2007-2008. decreased as promised.

YALE fied applicants that could have as American, students. ennial benefits” on New Haven’s
continued from page 3 contributed to the community. The addition of new colleges economy. This gives Yale Uni-
Moreover, part of Yale’s mission to the campus may not only be versity, as well as the New Haven
pushed this idea of expansion to a is to “embrace the education of beneficial to Yale, but could also community, another reason to
whole new level. In the past dec- leaders for the world, not simply help stimulate the local economy press forward with the expansion
ade, the number of applications to for the United States.” Increased in New Haven. Student expenses, idea. And this gives students an-
Yale has nearly doubled in size, enrollment would create more as well as the university’s, could other reason to apply to Yale —
forcing Yale to reject many quali- opportunities for foreign, as well very well have “positive and per- for those generations in the fu-
ture, of course.

Taste of Chinatown: Delicious Eastern Cuisine! $1! $1!


by Garry Chien, staff writer offered was not very appealing to me, such as
fried rice and egg rolls.Other people also had
On April 21, dishes such as Peking Duck mixed views of the event. Freshman Cassandra
and chicken with curry were being sold for a Tang said, “I like the food, especially the
bargain price of only one or two dollars at the Vietnamese sandwiches. But I think there were a
biannual Taste of Chinatown, where people were bit too much fried rice and lo mein.”
able to taste a variety of Asian dishes. The dishes Freshman Vania Sung said, “It was a bit
offered originated from a number of Asian chaotic, but the food was really good and worth
countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan it. One dollar for bubble tea!”
and Japan. The next Taste of Chinatown event will
Chinatown, located between Little Italy, take place on Saturday, October 20 from noon to
TriBeCa, and the Financial District, is known six p.m.
for its Asian dishes. The area lost many

customers after the attacks on 9/11. Asian


Women In Business (AWIB) created this event
in 2004 to bring people back to Chinatown.
I was able to visit the event. After finding
the entrance to Taste of Chinatown, I found Fay
Da Bakery, where I cheerfully quenched my
thirst with a taro icy. I also tried chicken with
curry. There were amazing dishes and drinks,
such as sushi and bubble tea, being sold at the
participating vendors. Though there were some
exceptional foods there, much of the food
6 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 OPNIONS

OPINONS
by Emma Rabinovich, A&E Editor
America at Large Stop
Clearly, there is plenty of Bush due to the large number of
With the recent elections in
France and the upcoming
controversy here and lots to
argue, which is why even
Congress is so torn. The President
outcries that he is already too
U.S.-friendly. After all, a large
chunk of the reason that British
Apathy
resignation of British Prime wields the executive veto while voters have turned against their
Minister Tony Blair, I got to Congress controls his funds. once-beloved Prime Minister is by Priscilla Melo,
thinking: where are we opinions editor
Democrats, who won the last because of his support of the U.S.
(Americans) headed? These election by a narrow margin, now in Iraq and at least partly because
foreign shuffles are all occurring claim that the American public of his refusal to turn against There is something that makes
at a time of great political unrest has spoken and they want out. Israel along with many other me shiver and shout out loud with
within our own borders, with Not so fast, says President Bush, European leaders. unrelenting fury, something more
Americans becoming more and who, no longer seeking It’s still too soon to tell what deadly than racism, sexism and
more critical of the costly war in reelection, is unlikely to bend to America will vote for in 2008 but ignorance combined: apathy. The
Iraq. What will losing yet another the Democrats’ will. With enough judging by the public opinion, sad truth is that the American teen-
strong ally in Europe do for the support in Congress (the Americans want a better handle ager is proud to be apathetic in
already crumbling public morale? Democrats’ victory wasn’t really on the crisis. Unfortunately, the issues that are truly important, and
While many comparisons a “mandate” so much as a nod) Democrats seem unable and the this is most certainly evident in
have been drawn between the Bush continues to push forward Republicans seem unwilling. Stuyvesant High School. Of
wars in Iraq and Vietnam, there is with his plans in Iraq. Hilary Clinton’s solution, for ex- course, as with any statement,
one key difference that will Enter: the rest of the world. ample, is for Bush to finish the there are exceptions — those few
probably keep us firmly planted At this point, America carries a nightmare off during his term in passionate souls that talk about
on that side of the globe: terror- huge burden. Russia continues to office so that the mess isn’t left to and, most importantly, act on is-
ism. President Bush’s critics like try its hardest to jumpstart Cold his successor. To be honest, I’ve sues that they find crucial, like the
to point out that our entry into War II (thank you, President only heard one of her speeches environment, poverty, education or
Iraq was unjustified and although Putin). France still wants nothing but that was enough to leave me even the lack of art in many chil-
that is a point worth debating the to do with Bush and the British wanting less. The Republican dren’s lives.
initial reason is no longer impor- people seem eager to throw Labor Party is torn between solidarity, Yet there is still the horde of
tant after almost four years of Party (Tony Blair’s party) out and which has so far been pulling students who amble on, with no
war. Unlike Vietnam, Iraq has bring in some doves. through, and winning the next thoughts or worries reaching far-
become a breeding ground for America dodged a bullet with election, and the two seem ther than that 80 they received in
dangerous international terrorist Sarkozy’s victory in France, but unlikely to go hand in hand. Spanish or the new Pokémon Dia-
groups that not only pose a threat while he is far more pro-America Meanwhile, the economy has not mond in their shiny Nintendo DS.
to our safety, but also anyone and than his opponent for the been very strong with the federal They are the ones that have let
everyone else who dares to chal- presidency, Ms. Segolene Royal government struggling to keep genocides occur and let the Hud-
lenge their tyrannical rule of parts — she once told a Hezbollah inflation down, while issues on son River become filthier every
of the Middle East. Then there leader that she agreed with his everything from abortion to gay passing day. They did not directly
are, of course, the innocent civil- comments about the “unlimited rights throw more variables into do these things, we hope. But by
ians who are caught in the cross- dementia” of the Bush the 2008 election. So, where are not acting, by letting the world
hairs. What would become of administration — he is also we headed? For another historical around them continue in its less-
them if the only real peacekeep- careful not to get too cuddly with clash at the polls. than-acceptable way, they have
ing force packed its things and
left? APATHY continues on page 7

by David Mannes, staff writer


Very Expensive Pants
found twelve ways Custom Clean- judge. The second concerns the ages the lives of people who have
ers has violated the consumer pro- hardships that the Chung family done nothing wrong. For this,
The Chung family, who emi- tection law by not living up to have already undergone just from Pearson doesn’t deserve to remain
grated from South Korea seven what their signs promised. He then having the lawsuit filed against a judge.
years ago, currently owns a dry multiplied the cost per violation by them. The Chung family had only
cleaning shop called Custom the number of days the pants had There are a number of reasons recently established themselves
Cleaners in Washington, D.C. On been lost, and then multiplied that why Pearson should, and probably here when the lawsuit first began.
the wall of the shop were two signs by three, because three members of will, lose his status as a judge. According to the Washington Post,
that have now been taken down; the Chung family jointly own the Since Pearson’s ten-year appoint- the Chung family, who came to
one read “Satisfaction Guaranteed” shop. On top of this, Pearson has ment is coming to an end, he America seeking a better life, is
and the other read “Same Day Ser- factored in numerous other costs, wouldn’t have to be fired, and so now considering moving back to
vice.” When Custom Cleaners lost including compensation for mental no precedent would be set for fu- South Korea, having lost faith in
a pair of suit pants, the customer it suffering and discomfort, and ture cases. It would reasonable to the American system. Ultimately,
belonged to, Judge Roy Pearson, $15,000 to cover the cost of rent- question whether Pearson could be the biggest problem in this case
decided to sue Custom Cleaners ing a car every weekend for the a fair and unbiased judge in the isn’t the money the Chungs would
for $67 million. Pearson filed the next ten years so that he can go to future. In addition, Pearson has be forced to pay should they lose
lawsuit two years ago, and the trial a different dry cleaner that is far- taken advantage of a law that pro- the case, but the harm that has al-
is currently scheduled to take place ther away. tects customers from businesses ready been done, when their crime
this June. Pearson will almost definitely that are actually wronging them, was losing a pair of pants. Hope-
The bulk of the $67 million is lose the case. However, it still and, especially if he wins this case, fully, although this case has had
the result of Pearson’s interpreta- raises two important issues. The Pearson would have encouraged many ill effects, it will inspire new
tion of a consumer protection law first issue is whether or not Pear- the type of absurd lawsuit that de- laws that protect people from this
that grants $1500 per day per vio- son will be allowed to remain a means the legal system and dam- kind of frivolous lawsuit.
lation. Pearson claims to have
SCIENCE MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 7
APATHY have not cared about. In this mod- Instead of briefly skimming the “Vote or Die,” and the Gap has the
continued from page 6 ern age, information is every- New York Times or The Econo- Product Red campaign, whose aim
where. Skewed or not, news is mist, they would rather rip open is to increase awareness of social
contributed to these large events. accessible — free, plain, visual, The Metro to page 16 for the issues.
I would not blame racists for blatant and ever-present. Topics crossword or Sudoku. The infor- But how can students stop this
their prejudiced comments, but the are discussed in classrooms every mation and the issues are in their horrible vice of apathy and become
system in which they were raised. I day; books containing disputable hands (or probably spread-eagled involved? It does not take much.
would not blame ignorant people issues are available for a one-time- on the floor with fluorescent white Look up from your AP Biology
for their unawareness, but the iso- only 50-cent charge at the local tape outlining them), but they re- review book — there are more
lation that has caused it. I would, library. The Internet is full of eve- fuse to look at it. They cannot say than 200 clubs in Stuyvesant High
however, blame apathetic people, rything the global citizen of today they have been insulated by School, many of them addressing
specifically American teenagers, needs to know, but the high school American popular culture — even real issues. Just take a stand, and
for everything and anything they student of right now does not care. Sean “Diddy” Combs has said (harking back to Marx) say,
“Students of the world, unite!”

SCIENCE
Bees: Honey is the Least of Our Problem
by Omar Ahmad,

Source: Yahoo News


cherries, blueberries, apples, al- items will skyrocket, and public
assistant science editor monds, asparagus and macadamia health will plunge to an all-time
nuts. low. This fear is approaching a
The honey bee may be the The current problem is that, if near-reality, with a curious
most essential insect in the world. bees all die off, we will be left discovery by beekeepers. A
It is widely known for its intense with only 2/3 of our previous diet. peculiar phenomenon was noticed
stinging, honey-making, hive- “It’s not the staples,” Jeff Pettis of when beekeepers realized that the
building, and many other abilities. the United States Agricultural Re- only bees inside their hives were
But one area of expertise that is search Service said. “If you can larvae of future worker bees, and
often left out is the pollination of imagine eating a bowl of oatmeal the queen bee. The honey was
many different plants in our envi- every day with no fruit on it, that’s still there, but there were no
ronment. These plants make up what it would be like” without worker bees, the most important
honeybee pollination. group of bees in a colony. The US beekeepers have been hit in recent
one-third of all food consumed in
months by the mysterious disappear-
the American diet, including over Not only will the scarcity of puzzling thing was that the
ance of millions of bees, threatening
600 million different fruits and fruits and vegetables become worker bees were gone without a honey supplies and crops.
vegetables worldwide such as evident, but the prices of these
BEES continues on page 8
8 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 BUSINESS
NEW PLANET

Source: CNN
ready extraterrestrial life existing know it requires the presence of
continued from page 1 on this planet?” liquid water.
According to some astrobiolo- As scientists continue to look
at La Silla, Chile. gists, scientists who study extrater- into this planet, more and more
This new planet has some restrial life, this new planet actu- people wonder if humans can one
qualities that make it highly likely ally lies in the Goldilocks Zone. day live on this new planet. Of
that it is like the Earth. For exam- This zone is given this name be- course that would be hard, consid-
ple, Gliese 581c is a reasonable cause it refers to the fact that the ering that this planet is 20.5 light-
distance from the sun, allowing its climate of this planet is “just right” years away. However, that doesn’t
temperature to fluctuate from 32 to for water to be present in the liquid mean that the discovery of this
104 degrees Fahrenheit. Above all, form. Up to now, we have only planet is worthless. As one scien- Stunned European explorers have
scientists have discovered that this known of one planet that lies in tist, Xavier Delfosse, said, “On the found one of the smallest planets
planet, just like Earth, is capable of this zone — Earth. It is considered treasure map of the Universe, one known outside our solar system, an
containing water. From here the important to find planets within the would be tempted to mark this Earth-like planet 50 light years away.
basic question arises, “Is there al- Goldilocks Zone, since life as we planet with an X.”

BEES continued from page 7 is believed that the navigation ies would most likely be sur- harmful to our insect friends. Even
problems may be the only cause rounding the queen bee, who is so, that would not sufficiently ex-
trace. There were no remains or that fits the disappearance of the the center of the colony. plain the disappearances of the
body specimens, creating more of worker bees, and the behavioral Another reason, though less bodies of such organisms.
a puzzle for scientists to figure aspects may have been the cause likely than the prior ones, is that There is still much research to
out. for faulty navigation. There could cell phone use may be responsible be done in this field of science, and
The main hypothesis for the not have been a physical threat to for insect deaths. It is believed that hopefully, there will be a clear
cause of this horrible occurrence these bees, or else the bodies the signals and sound waves emit- reason soon. Otherwise — well,
is the orientation of behavior and would have been found. The bod- ted from cellular phones can be you can fill in the blanks…
navigation of the worker bees. It

BUSNIESS
Corporations Step Up MTA Develops Large Tract
to Green Economics of Land in Manhattan
by Hanford Chiu, business interest in building a park and a
by Hanford Chiu, business influence grows, however, other editor museum over the High Line, or
editor environmental groups are con- otherwise preserve it if it does not
cerned that corporations are just The MTA began seeking bids impact the revenue from the sale.
The United States Climate hiding behind its name to avoid from developers on May 8, hoping Other problems include zoning,
Action Partnership is a coalition of having to take real measures to to turn a vast 26-acre tract of a as the western tract has not yet
business entities and environ- save the environment. General Manhattan rail yard into some been zoned for building yet,
mental groups that supports the Motors in particular was both criti- quick revenue for projects and while the eastern tract is zoned
view that global warming exists cized and praised for joining US- improvements by selling off parts for mixed usage. Furthermore, the
and that greenhouse gas emissions CAP. “I think [General Motors] is of the land for development. The MTA has stated that it will not
must be reduced in order to pre- trying to hide behind their partici- MTA hopes to attract top bids, sell its adjacent Hudson Rail
vent global warming and save the pation and pretend they are behind which are appraised at over $1.3 Yards, where it stores and
environment. The partnership has reducing global warming,” said billion, for a large area of land in a maintains its trains, which would
already garnered much support force developers to build a
CORPORATIONS borough where space is limited
from corporations and has mem- and the wholesale selling of land is platform over the rail yards, a
continues on page 9
bers such as General Electric, Pep- rare. project which would cost over
siCo, military supplier Caterpillar However, there is a lot of $400 million.
Source: Wikipedia

Inc., and oil producer ConocoPhil- controversy over this plot of land The sale of this land comes
lips. Recently, in a gesture of co- that must be resolved before the at a time when the MTA wants to
operation, General Motors Corp. MTA can let go of it. The tract of upgrade its outdated system and
entered the league of corporations land itself, with its western half also expand its subway lines’
as the first automaker to join such from Eleventh Avenue to Twelfth reach as well. Mayor Bloomberg
a group. As a major producer of Avenue and its eastern half from
greenhouse gases both directly Eleventh Avenue to Tenth Avenue,
through factory waste byproducts was the proposed site for New 7 TRAIN
and indirectly through the sale of York’s Olympic Stadium until the continues on page 9
gas-guzzling cars, automakers are state government defeated Mayor
a big target for the USCAP in its Bloomberg’s efforts to buy the
efforts to reduce greenhouse gas land for $300 million.
emissions. It is surprising and re- Nowadays, the endeavor is
freshing that the major contributors being protested by advocates of
to greenhouse gases have joined all kinds, ranging from those who
the coalition’s efforts to seek out want parks and open spaces built
government intervention by means to those who demand affordable
of mandatory greenhouse gas re- American International Group Inc., a
housing units. Others want to
ductions and an emissions cap al- major American insurance corpora-
tion, is one of the many in a diverse protect the High Line, which is a
lowance system that allows corpo- stretch of abandoned outdoor
group of business and environmental
rations to trade emissions “credits” leaders that want to enact strong na- subway tracks converted into an
in order to exceed the cap. tional legislation to reduce greenhouse impromptu park and public space.
As USCAP expands and its The older 7 train, as seen from 33
gas emissions MTA officials have stated their Street.
A&E MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 9
CORPORATIONS recent phenomenon of green eco- 7 TRAIN
continued from page 8 nomics, in which the economy is continued from page 8
considered to be dependent on the
Dan Becker, director of Sierra state of the environment and that has already allocated over $2
Club’s global warming program, in the impact on the environment, billion to the MTA for the
an interview with the Associated humans, animals and everything purpose of extending the 7 train
Press. “It’s better than deepening else. must be taken into considera- line to its west midtown site.
global warming, which GM has as tion before any transactions. By Furthermore, the MTA wants to
a brand, but it isn’t going to save a recognizing the interconnections expand the 2 train line and build
gram of carbon because they are between the planet and the econ- new tunnels in various places. It
not cleaning up the vehicles,” he omy, ecological damage by over- wants to update its trains and
said. Nevertheless, GM has stated expansion and activity can be improve station security as well
that it will develop new green tech- curbed to provide for a stable long- as the general condition of the
nology and reduce emissions. term economy based on Earth’s subway system.
USCAP is an example of the finite space and finite amount of The map of the 7 train, from Main
resources. Street to Times Square.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Benny Hill: Pokémon Diamond Version
World’s Funniest Clown and Pearl Version Review
by Tasso Bountouvas, staff

Source: www.cwtv.com
became so popular that he was held system since greats like Ad-
writer voted television personality of the vance Wars or Tetris. Yes, that’s
year for 1954. But this was just right, you heard correctly. These
“I'm not against half naked girls - the beginning of a memorable two small games are masterpieces
career. of immersion, strategy, and replay-
not as often as I'd like to be.”
Hill was able to show the ability — a far cry from their
The above joke by Benny
viewing audience all of his talents primitive Game Boy Color breth-
Hill, although not completely
when he got the chance at his ren.
true, is just one of the many ideas
own show. “The Benny Hill “What makes Pokémon D&P
that brought laughter to England
Show” premiered in 1955 on different than the versions I’ve
and to most of the world.
BBC and lasted until 1968. The played before?” you may ask. For
Although he is not as popular
show was then reproduced for one, the number of Pokémon has
today as he once was, many The recently released Pokemon Dia-
Thames television and lasted increased from 151 to 493. Do
adults will probably remember mond games.
from 1969 to 1989. The main not attempt to adjust your
“The Benny Hill Show” starring
elements of the show were by Jonathan Xikis, staff writer viewing position, for that number
“Hill’s Angels” and the “world’s
basically silent comedy sketches; is completely correct. This game
funniest clown,” Benny Hill. When you think of
comic characters, including Fred packs a whopping five hundred
Hill’s comedic genius is rare and “Pokémon,” a.k.a. “Pocket Mon-
Scuttle; and many comical battling monsters into one
should be noticed. sters,” you might recall memories
innuendo-filled songs. Although cartridge, each with its own
Benny Hill was born Alfred of little kids trading their cards, or
some jokes were repeated on strengths, weaknesses and moves.
Hawthorne Hill in Southampton, childish cartoons featuring the
several episodes, especially the There are 18 types, which can be
England on January 21, 1924. He dreaded 10-year-old Ash and his
best ones, they were always as combined in any number of ways
loved entertainment at a very annoying yellow mouse. You
funny as they were the first time. to give Pokémon unique abilities.
young age; at 16, he went to Lon- might even remember playing
In 1971, Benny Hill’s song Ernie D&P mark the return of Pokémon
don to pursue a career in enter- Pokémon Red or Blue 10 years ago
tainment and comedy. His televi-
(The Fastest Milkman in the animations, as well as day and
West) became a number one hit. — or perhaps you might single- night system from Gold and
sion debut began in 1941, when mindedly think: “Pokémon? That’s
By 1980, the show also included Silver. The music and ambiance
he first used his stage name, for babies. I’ve outgrown that.” If
“Hills’s Angels” — a group of of the different regions is superb.
Benny Hill. His comedic tech- so, what you are about to witness
very tall, thin young ladies who To top it off, all buildings are
niques seemed fresh and he may shock, or even terrify you.
brought a feeling of true enjoy-
BENNY HILL Pokémon Diamond and Pearl are POKEMON
ment to the viewing audience. He
continues on page 10 some of the best games for a hand- continues on page 10

Spidey’s Back
by Robert Colbourn, staff writer movie not only contains the same villain is his best friend’s father, things start spiraling out of control.
ones, but adds more to its Norman Osborn (William Dafoe). While out on a date with his
Well, our favorite wall crawler repertoire. Its combination of Of course, Spiderman triumphs Mary-Jane, a meteorite crashes
is back on the big screen in terrible casting and unimaginative and Osborn is killed. This kind of and releases a strange pitch-black
“Spiderman 3,” capping off the plot made it a chore to watch. puts a damper on Peter’s friend- substance that attaches itself to
trilogy. From the beginning, The first two films revolve ship with Harry Osborn, Norman’s Peter in his sleep, causing him to
people were quite taken with it, around Peter Parker’s (Tobey son. By the third film, however, attain a black costume that
and this became possibly the most Maguire) hope to find a balance in Peter seems to have it all figured enhances his abilities. He later
anticipated movie in 2007. his life. After he is bitten by a ge- out. The city loves Spiderman, he learns from his professor, Dr.
However, as the movie came into netically enhanced spider, he is plans to propose to the love of his Curt Conners (Dylan Baker), that
theaters, it was apparent that while given the attributes of that spider, life, Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten
many will see it, few will leave allowing him to become a super- Dunst), and he remains at the top
satisfied. The previous two movies hero. In the first movie, his leading of his class at his college. Yet SPIDERMAN
had enormous problems, and this continues on page 10
10 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 A&E
SPIDERMAN there were too few of those mo- POKEMON used across several generations to
continued from page 9 ments. It simply isn’t enough to continued from page 9 give your baby Pokémon unique
save this movie from being a “egg moves.” Too complicated for
it is actually a “symbiote” that complete waste of time. It seems rendered in jaw-dropping 2.5D, you? And you thought Pokémon
raises aggression in its host. that many didn’t think that, how- and perspective is used to great was child’s play.
Despite that, Peter decides to use ever, because “Spider-Man 3” effect. There is one more major Not all is well in the Pokémon
it to track down his uncle’s killer made box office history during its aspect of D&P that has been world, however. A few problems
(Thomas Haden Church), who opening weekend. It made the brilliantly implemented — Wi-Fi. intrude into an otherwise enjoyable
had his particles bonded to those highest daily gross on its opening If gaining the ability to battle gameplay experience. Besides the
o f s a n d . T h e h e i gh t e n e d day, highest grossing opening people across the globe doesn’t minor annoyances, like the com-
aggression in Peter makes him weekend, fastest to grossing 100 tickle your fancy, there is even a plete non-utilization of the shoulder
complicate things with Mary-Jane million and the greatest IMAX “Global Trading Center.” Now, it buttons and the continued lack of a
and Harry, who is seeking debut. This is expected, consider- is truly possible to catch ‘em all deep plot, two major problems ex-
vengeance for his father’s death. ing the huge fan-base that on one game cartridge. ist. One is the rehashed formula
In addition to all of this, he has to spawned since the first movie. If you are still not convinced (little kid starts in quaint town,
deal with a rivalry with a new This is further proof that no mat- that this game is strategic enough, destroys entire criminal syndicate,
photographer at the Bugle, Eddie ter how much a movie may make let me introduce you to my little saves world, becomes Champion).
Brock (Topher Grace). at the box office, it isn’t necessar- friends: IVs, EVs, natures and The creators of the Pokémon games
The plot, to begin with, has ily good. breeding. An advanced have taken the saying “if it works,
too many villains, so none of Source: Entertainment Weekly
knowledge of these features is don’t fix it” a bit too seriously.
them were given any justice. The essential for competitive battling. Second, an influx of hackers has
villain that had the most character IVs, or individual values, are like made online play dangerous. There
development is Eddie (a.k.a. a Pokémon’s DNA, determining are thousands of punk kids who
Venom), and still he has way too its base stats, such as Attack and don’t think twice about picking up
little screen time. Defense. EVs, or effort values, an Action Replay cheating device
The only aspect of this movie are gained through battle, and by and trying to illegally catch other
that can be positive is the use of “EV-training” your Pokémon, battlers’ Pokémon or trading
CGI and special effects. The sym- you can pinpoint specific glitched ones. Although these
bi o t e i s d o ne bea u t i fu ll y statistical increases. Natures events are rare, they do happen,
(although it always looks suspi- determine a Pokémon’s and Nintendo’s lax enforcement of
ciously like tar), as well as the personality, further affecting stat the rules has exacerbated the prob-
visuals for Venom and Sandman. growths, and breeding can be lem.
Its action is not amazing, but it
does have high points. There "Spider-man 3" starring Tobey Maguire,
were many tense moments that Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher
Grace, and Rosemary Harris, broke box
kept people at the edge of their office records on its opening day by gross-
seats at times, but unfortunately ing an estimated $59 million.

BENNY HILL
Blockbusters Galore
by Nouisin Haque, staff writer Ocean’s 13 “afro,” and other simple designs,
continued from page 9
participated in sketches, usually
For the less magically enthused, Simpsons fans have more than half-naked, and danced to music
This summer promises to be the “Ocean’s 13” is coming out this Channel 5 to look forward to this of the time.
most commercially successful ever summer as well. George Clooney summer. The Simpsons movie is The combination of “Hill’s
with predictions that it will easily and director Steven Soderbergh coming out on July 27. The pro- Angels” and the great sketches
make its wa y into the record make a comeback after the 2004 ducers of the first animated family and songs of Benny Hill created a
books. Here’s why. sequel to “Ocean’s 11.” Critics ever have kept their mouths shut show that not only lasted for over
did not like the film, as the acting and have not yielded anything. Nor 30 years, but also became famous
Harry Potter and the Order of was said to be lazy and childish. have the cartoonists said what is to around the world. In fact, his tele-
the Phoenix Clooney admits that the last come with the constant “d’oh.” We vision shows have been sold in at
Harry Potter and his friends are movie was not comparable to the are leftt with only what we can least 109 other countries. One
back with the fifth year of first. New cast member Ellen decipher from the trailers. television biography about Hill is
Hogwarts in the life of the Boy Barkin has not revealed titled “Benny Hill: The World’s
Who Lived. While most of us what the new plot will Funniest Clown,” a title that per-
Pirates of the Carib-
know what to expect in the be, but Matt Damon let fectly fits.
bean: At World's End
movie, for those select few who the much-awaited The Pirates are coming Hill died from a heart attack
don’t, here are some things to information out. back earlier this time, on August 18, 1992. Just a year
look forward to are: Harry loses According to him, Al with only one year since before, he had won an award that,
someone very dear to him, the Pacino is back to being the last movie. If there is since he loved silent comedy,
Defense Against the Dark Arts the Vegas guy who now anything to remember meant the world to him — the
teacher will make your blood boil is building the best hotel from the last movie, it’s Charlie Chaplin International
(supposedly, Imelda Staunton’s ever. But, in the process, that Davy Jones is scarily Award for Comedy at the 1991
portrayal is awesome), new he neglects to give Elliot realistic in a funny way. Festival of Comedy in Vevey,
villains, new romances, and a few Gould, another new "Pirates of the Caribbean: Those tentacles in his Switzerland. Hill was the first
other surprises. In previous cases, character, his share of At World's End" is due to face wiggle in all the British comedian to achieve fame
the release date for the books and come out on May 25, 2007
money. As it is a revenge starring Johnny Depp, right ways, and play the through television. He is truly a
the movies were at least four plot, the group gets back Orlando Bloom, and Keira organ. Bill Nighy’s landmark in television history and
months apart; this year, however, together to make sure Knightley. voice adds vice every should be acknowledged for it.
the movie comes out on July 13, that Al Pacino does not time he is on screen.
Source: bbb.co.uk

Source: Entertainment Weekly


just eight days before the book. succeed, and his building This story starts off exactly with
The Benny
The last movie brought in $3.5 Hill Show
burns down. Now, while Clooney where the last one left us. Captain was one of
billion dollars around the globe, says this will be the last sequel, Barbossa is back from the dead to TV's most
and $280 million domestically. some cast members want more. lead the few crewmembers of the popular com-
Producers expect an even heftier Black Pearl, including Elizabeth
edy shows in
take for this one as it promises to the 1970's
The Simpsons (Kiera Knightly) and Will Turner and 1980's.
be the most exciting one yet. (Orlando Bloom), to find Jack
After so many years of a tall blue
Sparrow (Johnny Depp).
LITERARY MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 11

PUZZLES&LITERARY
Seniors Beware! by Robert Stevenson
Protector From an
Absent Enemy
by Amna Ahmad, literary editor
No defined word nor scripture had defined such an end
To little boys playing soccer in the streets, posing no threat
As tanks rolled heedlessly by
Playing the role of Protector
Defender of people of undeserving privilege
From feeble natives that are inferior
And dare not question their complicity
In the struggle for a land to bury their dead ones
Nor do they think twice to lower their gaze onto the ground
That they would kiss had they owned it

A-ROD UNTOUCHABLES The Untouchables finally NFL


continued from page 9 continued from page 9 won their championship and continued from page 9
received not silver, but gold
will probably opt out of your the division, again in the finals. medals this time. The girls are Cleveland is his hometown, and
contract at the end of the year and This time, the Untouchables were intent on improving and coming playing for his hometown team has
engage the Yankees in a bidding ready for them, winning with a back to win it again next year. been a dream of his for years.
war with the Red Sox so you can score of 6.25 to 2.75. Vivian had Said Truong, “Our goal is to train The biggest surprise of the
make even more money than you 3 wins and 25 touches, junior B1 very hard and have each member first round was that drop of
do already. You still have not cocaptain Jenny Hsiao had 4 wins of the team become a better Quinn, and how teams in need of
proven you can hit in the and 26 touches, and sophomore fencer, and through that hard a quarterback passed on him
playoffs. But for one fine spring B2 Megan Ng had 4 wins and 23 work, to take the championship early. The Vikings, Dolphins and
day, you’ll be given another shot. touches. again.” Buccaneers could have drafted
him but went for Adrian Peterson,

Sports Calendar Ted Ginn Jr. and Gaines Adams,


respectively. The least surprising
pick of the draft was the very first
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday one: JaMarcus Russell to
Oakland. The Raiders are a
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 franchise that needs immediate
Baseball Boys Girls Softball Boys & Girls help, and a big quarterback like
JV vs. Bronx HS Outdoor Track Russell will provide it. The
vs. A. P. Of Science Manhattan Raiders will not become a playoff
Randolph @ Central Borough team just by selecting JaMarcus,
@Inwood Hill Park North Championship but at least they won’t end up
Park 4:00 Meadow #12 @ Randalls with only two wins like they did
4:00 Island in 2006.
Becoming the winner of this
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 year’s draft did not happen with a
Boys & Girls pick, but with a trade. The New
Outdoor Track England Patriots landed five-time
Frosh/Soph pro-bowler Randy Moss from the
City Champi- Oakland Raiders for just a fourth-
onships round pick. This is yet another
@Randalls upgrade to Tom Brady’s receiv-
Island ing core, which now includes
Donte Stallworth. If a Super
Bowl favorite were to be picked
Like What You’ve Read? right after the draft, before train-
Then Comment About it at the Standard’s Website at: ing camp, it would have to be the
Patriots.
www.stuystandard.org
Source: Reuters

Drafted by
the Detroit
At our website, you can: Lions, former
Georgia Tech
• Read up on past issues Registration is Wide Re-
ceiver Calvin
• Leave comments about articles quick and easy! Johnson
• Check up on your sports teams stands with
Commis-
sioner Roger
Goodell in
New York.
12 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD MAY 17, 2007—VOL. 6, No. 14 SPORTS

SPORTS
The Sports Beat: Forgive Me, A-Rod
by Eric Mayo, managing editor you, A-Rod, were about the only importantly, you won two games We still should not feel
thing the Yankees could consis- with ninth-inning home runs that completely sorry for you. You’re
Forgiving someone is such a tently count on throughout the helped keep the Yankees from still making over $25 million
hard thing to do. It means month of April. Derek Jeter made falling apart completely. dollars this year, making you the
admitting that you were wrong an uncharacteristic six errors. Now you’ll have help. Phil richest player in baseball. You
and someone else was right. It Every Yankee pitcher wanted to Hughes proved with his no-hit
means subjecting yourself to do his best impression of Carl outing against Texas that he A-ROD continues on page 11
ridicule from everyone. Pavano, whose latest injury has deserves a spot in the Yankee
Sometimes, however, it must be

Source: Reuters
successfully thinned out the Yan- rotation once he comes back from
done. With that in mind, Alex kee bullpen once more. The his hamstring injury. Your
Rodriguez, please forgive me. starters who were not injured, pitching staff will get a boost
Forgive me for writing about like Kei Igawa, made Hideki Ir- from “The Rocket,” Roger
“how to boo you” (Issue 1). abu look like Nolan Ryan. Joe Clemens, who signed a one-year
Forgive me about calling you Torre was about to be fired. Yet deal May 6. He’ll be able to help
overpaid (Issue 4). Forgive me through it all you were there, you out personally as well. Few
for being angry when I got leading your team every step of people remember that before
“stuck” with you in my fantasy the way. Clemens came to New York, he
baseball draft this year. Forgive You won the player of the had the same things said about
me for blaming you for every month award in April, hitting him that people say about you
problem the Yankees have had .355 with a record 14 homers and now: “great player who can’t win
since you arrived. After all, 35 RBI. You had a stretch where under pressure.” He quickly
where would these Yankees be you had not only a hitting streak changed that by winning two
now without you? but an extra-base hit streak. Most World Series. Alex Rodriguez is widely regarded as one of
As amazing as it might seem, the best players in the history of the game.

Untouchables Win Championship 2007 NFL


by Richard Mai, sports editor

The Stuyvesant Untouchables,


May 2 at Long Island City High
School.
Winston, the girls’ fencing coach,
declared, “We will be back.” This Draft
The Untouchables lost to season, the Untouchables did just
the girls’ fencing team, won the Townsend Harris in the finals last that. by Zakhar Shtulberg, staff
PSAL Girls’ Fencing Champion- year, walking away with the silver With an 8-0 regular season writer
ship when they defeated rival while vowing to come back and record, the Untouchables were
Townsend Harris in the finals on The 2007 NFL draft in New
defeat them this year. Joel indeed unmatched as they won
York City was filled with sur-
their division undefeated. In the
prises, mistakes and brilliant
division, no other team besides
moves. The winners of the draft
Stuyvesant scored more than 3.75
stood out far beyond all teams.
out of a possible 9 points for a
This was the first draft in recent
game. The tough loss last year
history in which there were no
was certainly a chance for the
losers, but there was a distinct line
girls to prove themselves this
between the great picks and the
year, working hard to win that
mediocre ones.
championship. “They beat us last
The best team in the first
year in the finals, and this season
round of the draft must be the
we were working to take the
Cleveland Browns. With the num-
championship from them,” said
ber three pick they chose Joe Tho-
junior Vivian Truong, an A2
mas, the best available offensive
cocaptain.
lineman and definitely the man
The team of 22 girls had a lot
with the most character among the
of depth and young talent that
incoming rookies. Instead of going
helped bring them victory this
to the glitz and glamour that is
season. Freshman Nzingha
now the NFL draft at Radio City
Prescod, an A1 fencer who is also
Hall, he stayed in Wisconsin and
nationally ranked, is one of the
went fishing with his father. The
rookies who will play a big part
Browns selected Brady Quinn with
in the Untouchables’ future
the twenty-second pick of the
seasons. Prescod had 30 touches
draft. Brady Quinn was one of the
in the playoffs with 6 wins and no
highest-ranked players in the draft
losses. “She pretty much
at number three, and was expected
demolished everyone and never
to be snatched early in the rounds,
let the other person get more than
but when the Miami Dolphins
2 touches on her,” said Truong.
passed on him at number nine, he
Stuyvesant beat Brooklyn
fell all the way to 22, which was
Tech in the quarterfinals and
the pick the Cowboys traded to the
Cardozo in the semifinals to
Browns. The teams in between did
finally meet with Townsend
not need quarterbacks, and this
Harris, the toughest opponent in
drop will cost Quinn millions of
dollars. He can still be happy, as
UNTOUCHABLES
continues on page 11 NFL continues on page 11

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