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STANDARD
Thursday, January 29, 2009 Volume 8 Issue 7
TSS/Amna Ahmad
the MTA is also feeling the effects. the way it is.
According to the MTA’s website However the MTA is still
they will have to implement fair trying to work a way around di-
This essay hikes and cut train and bus services rectly affecting the commuters.
New York City Comptroller Wil-
drastically. At a hearing the MTA
can’t be board said it was in a 2 billion dol- liam Thompson proposed increas-
lar deficit and needed to do this to ing the registration fee on cars
right.
Continued on page 3
Semifinalists
the Perfect
essay in 5
minutes
Dimwits
for
Essays
College
In This Issue
course of a few weeks writing and
missions officials downplay its
polishing their essays, other stu-
importance, especially given the
dents only spend a day or two.
vastly different levels of support in
Seeing how much or how little em-
preparing it.” While some students
Page 3
Page 7
Staff Editorial:
Students Watch As
The Executive Board History Unfolds
AMNA AHMAD EDITOR IN CHIEF
HESHAM SALEH MANAGING EDITOR On Tuesday January 20, 2009 cussion in English class or a math
DAVID MANNES DIRECTOR OF FINANCE the Stuyvesant community came to- lesson. It is necessary to recognize,
ANGEL WONG DIRECTOR OF FINANCE gether to witness what has been very therefore, just how fortunate the
SHAYRA KAMAL LAYOUT EDITOR accurately deemed one of the most student body is to have been able to
GUERGANA BORISSOVA COPY CHIEF momentous events in American his- view that particular moment in his-
RAMMIYA NALLAINATHAN NEWS EDITOR tory—the inauguration of the 44th tory as it was taking place miles
MUHAMMAD TAMBRA NEWS EDITOR president of the United States of away in our nation’s capital.
MARINA TAWFIK OPINIONS EDITOR America. The administration’s deci- Teachers and students alike
ROBERT COLBOURN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR sion to arrange the school’s schedule have argued that the administration
OMAR AHMAD SCIENCE EDITOR to give every student the opportunity revealed its bias in restructuring the
QI FAN ZHANG TECHNOLOGY EDITOR to see the event as it was being broad- school day for the inauguration of
ROBERT STEVENSON LITERARY EDITOR cast live is one that current Stuyvesant Barack Obama and not earlier presi-
MICHAEL BLOCK SPORTS EDITOR students should acknowledge and ap- dents, while others viewed the in-
ELISSA TAM DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM preciate. Watching as the first Afri- tentions of the administration to be
MEGAN BRESLIN FACULTY ADVISOR can American president was being motivated by the significant mile-
DANIEL EGERS (‘03) FOUNDER sworn into office is something we will stone in the centuries-old struggle
ERNEST BASKIN (‘04) EDITOR EMERITUS surely never forget. for civil rights that Barack Obama’s
The Stuyvesant student body election represents. The reason for
should consider it a privilege that making special arrangements for
Principal Teitel was willing to estab-
Publication lish a cadence in the regular instruc-
this particular inauguration is far
less important than the effect it had
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD is a non-profit publication produced by tional school-day for students to look- on students in general. The idea
the students of Stuyvesant High School. on as Barack Obama took his oath of that the thousands of people that
office and quite ardently addressed comprise Stuyvesant High School
the American people and the rest of were experiencing the same thing at
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD distributes 2,000 free copies on a bi- the world in his inaugural speech. the same time is almost unfathom-
weekly basis to the students and faculty of Stuyvesant High School and Students should not take that privilege able.
throughout the adjoining neighborhoods of TriBeCa and Battery Park City. for granted. The celebration of the inau-
While the inauguration cere- guration seems to have brought stu-
mony was playing in classrooms, and dents together in a way that perhaps
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD welcomes letters from its readers. For a gymnasiums, in addition to the even Principal Teitel would not
letter to be reproduced in print, a name and method of contact must be pro- Murray Kahn theatre at Stuyvesant have anticipated. The Stuyvesant
vided. High School, high school students Standard calls on the administration
around the country whose schools to continue to invite all members of
THE STUYVESANT STANDARD reserves the right to edit any published simply do not possess the means to
material. The viewpoints of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Stuyvesant community to be-
have broadcasted the live inaugura- come first-hand spectators of his-
the Standard staff. tion, sat back in their seats for a dis- tory every four years. ◙
Copyright ©2008 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD
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EIC@stuystandard.org.
TSS/Elissa tam
upset the multitude of car drivers vest it preferring to stay home or
in New York City. According to go somewhere within walking dis-
the MTA website they would have tance. Along with the MTA hikes
to increase the fee from $2.00 to everything else is getting pricier
$2.50. They would also eliminate too so I think they might think
all services of the M6, 8, 10, 18, twice before going out. But regard-
27, 30 and X25 buses. This is one ing some the idea that they will
of the main points of contention lose customers; I highly doubt it.
between riders and the MTA. And Riding the train is a necessity in
along with that cuts of many week- New York City.”
end and night services along most Junior Manuel Castro be-
lines. lieves, “fair hikes could be avoided
Students at Stuyvesant also if the city and state government
express their concern over the pro- worked together with the MTA to
posed hikes. Junior Anastassia reduce the costs of running their
Kapeles said, “I don't like [the fare services. They might want to in-
hikes] because at this time when vest in ways to make the trains run
most Americans are already faster and on less energy alongside
strapped for cash, increasing the with providing the MTA some sort
fare would make the current situa- of stimulus. The MTA should also
tion even worse.” Many students think of cutting the pay of their
also feel that this would be a deter- higher ups. That seems to get those
rent to any plans they might have CEO types to do something pro-
The first of two Blood Drive of the year was held on January 8, 2008 at the 6th floor gym.
on weekends when they cannot ductive instead of just asking for
utilize their school provided Met- money. However with the cost of
rocards. Senior Rofi Islam said, everything else going up it seems By: Hesham Saleh
that fair hikes are an annoying but successful, there were some organ-
“With many students already try- izational problems. Canas com-
ing to conserve many for more im- inevitable consequence.” ◙
On Thursday, January 8, mented, “I know a lot of people
Stuyvesant High School, led by the had to wait a long time. There
New York Blood Center, held its should’ve been a better order sys-
Scandal Clouds
TSS/Elissa Tam
Politics in Illinois
By: Vivian Zeng the Lt. Governor's office.
Meanwhile, questions
arise about the Obama and
The latest political con- Blagojevich’s relationship.
troversy involves Governor People of Illinois have wa-
Rod Blagojevich of Illinois. vering faith in their state
His name is spammed and legislature and demand an-
spewed all over the newspa- swers. “Obviously like the
pers of America. Just what rest of the people of Illinois
exactly did this man do to de- I am saddened and sobered
serve all of this attention? by the news that came out
Nearly all major news sta- of the U.S. attorney's office
tions have covered the scandal today,” said President-elect
that ensued after Governor Obama. Obama says “I had
Rod Blagojevich and John no contact with the gover-
Harris, his chief of staff, were nor or his office and so we
arrested early December 2008 were not, I was not aware
for what U.S. Attorney. Patrick of what was happening.”
Fitzgerald called a “political Since there was no hard
corruption crime spree,” in an evidence that Obama was
interview with the New York involved with the corrupt
Times. Governor Blagojevich deals, the FBI ceased inves-
allegedly attempted to sell the tigations. Unfortunately
U.S. Senate seat that President- Obama’s aura has not been
elect Barack Obama had. The substantially affected by
arrests made the Illinois gov- this scandal as a result.
ernment more alert than ever. The appointment of
The people of Illinois are ask- Roland Burris (D-Ill) as the
ing questions about the leader- person to fill in President
ship of the state and the fate of Elect Obama’s Senate seat
the vacant Senate seat. Under by Governor Blagojevich is
state law, only the governor also an issue of much con-
holds the power to fill in Sen- tention. Although many
ate seats. Senate Democrats vehe-
Although many people are mently opposed Burris’s
requesting that Governor appointment in the end they
Blagojevich should resign or had to concede to him. He
temporarily step down from argued that he was not con-
office, he vehemently refuses. nected in the scandal and
Governor Blagojevich claims that he should not be denied
that he is not guilty of im- the seat. Many students had
peachable offenses and will differing opinions on the
fight "every step of the way." issue. Senior Mehrab Islam
The Illinois House of Repre- felt that, “Burris shouldn’t
sentatives voted 114-1 for his be denied the Senate seat.
impeachment (three represen- Although [Governor]
tatives did not vote). This Blagojevich was involved
overwhelmingly shows how in the scandal there is no
Governor Blagojevich’s ac- evidence of Burris having
tions will not go unanswered. anything to do with it. And
as a staff writer?
wanted “to get things done for mate.” Other students felt
people.” “The House's action otherwise. Sophomore
today, and the causes of the Garry Liang felt that,
impeachment, are because I've “Burris should not be ap-
done things to fight for fami- pointed. The Illinois Su-
lies who are with me here to- preme Court should allow
Email us at:
day,” says Blagojevich. It the Lt. Governor to make an
seems as though he is vindicat- appointment. Plus Burris is
ing the situation. Now Gover- now associated with a stain
nor Blagojevich faces a trial in on the American political
the state Senate. A two-thirds process and already has a
vote in the Senate is required lot of enemies since he ba-
EIC@stuystandard.org
to remove the governor from sically demanded his ap-
office. pointment be upheld.”
Lieutenant Governor Pat In an interview
Quinn will become governor if with the New York Times,
Governor Blagojevich is re- Fitzgerald exclaims that
moved from office over cor- Blagojevich's “conduct
ruption charges. The reform would make Lincoln roll
effort will be conducted under over in his grave.” ◙
OPINIONS The STUYVESANT STANDARD January 29, 2009 –VOL.8, NO.7 5
TSS/Amna Ahmad
By: Marina Tawfik
Eat The list of damages is endless.
How are educators supposed to
A student walks into a me! convince students to eat healthily if
classroom holding a most fa- they are not going to restrict the
miliar box. Hungry students selling of candy in our schools?
awaiting late lunch periods rush
CHOCOLATE The sweetness may taste good, but
to the student, carrying wallets and in terms of the damage it does to
eager expressions. After a quick you, it is ultimately bad. Junior
search through the box, most stu- Vivian Zeng says, “Most students
dents make a selection and pay the tend not to eat breakfast or lunch
seller, happily walking away with and then buy a pack of Skittles.
their newest purchase: a candy bar. One period later, they crash and
Sadly, the picture I just then the cycle of buying candy re-
painted is simply a distant memory, occurs.” According to a survey of
one I remember from my past years 40 secondary
at Stuyvesant but seldom see now. schools in Califor-
This year, when the administration Don’t eat nia in 2005, the
decided to ban the selling of candy
in school, students’ lives were
him. He’s most commonly
purchased com-
changed. bad for petitive foods
At first glance, it seems that were chips and
not letting students sell candy is a
you! candy. In general,
good idea. After all, one can argue, these items were
don’t we need to be promoting higher in fat and sugar and had
healthy eating habits in school, so lower prices than more healthful
Some educators believe that selling candy will pro- Others believe that the banning of candy selling will
that they will be taken and used for mote bad eating habits; however, students deem that have an overall positive effect on student life,, par-
items. Although school lunches
the rest of a child’s life? However, candy selling is the means for clubs to raise money. ticularly health. and breakfasts have to meet certain
there are several flaws in this mind- nutritional guidelines, competitive
set, especially when the reasons for New York City is going to ban un- foods do not have to meet the same
selling candy are taken into account. healthy food in schools, they should standards. As innocent as selling
Selling candy was one of By: Tiffany Choi candy seems, it poses a threat.
check over all of the things already
the main means by which clubs in place, first. Critics have recently raised an eye-
raised money for the things they Ultimately, the banning of Candy selling, a prevalent brow, claiming that access to
needed. Now that they are not al- candy sales in school has been inef- trend in Stuyvesant High School candy in schools is contributing to
lowed to sell, many club presidents fective and harmful. Several students nearly a year ago, does not neces- America’s growing childhood obe-
find it harder to make enough still sell candy, just more discreetly. sarily benefit the student body by sity and diabetes problems.
money for the things that are essen- This allows them to gain monopolies providing expenses for clubs and Besides selling candy as
tial to their clubs. Junior Katrina on candy sales on entire floors, and by selling food to the students. fundraising ideas, our school could
Koon, president of the Fun and buyers who seek candy usually know Schools throughout the United use some innovative ideas to con-
Strategic Games Club, explained just who to go to in order to get what States have their own motives for tribute to the funds of clubs. Some
that “many clubs depend on candy they want. This ends up hurting eve- banning selling candy, and now ideas may include bake sales, raf-
sales to make money to keep the ryone, because now the sellers, who Stuyvesant has joined, with good fles, a photo booth, or maybe even
clubs going. In our club, candy sell- are often selling for personal profit reason. a Twister tournament. Sometimes,
ing allows us to purchase more sup- rather than for a club, gain an unfair Their main concern is the people simply need to think about
plies for the club, such as games.” amount of customers. Also, as more unhealthy aspect of candy. the long-term effects on their
Not only does banning the students bring their own snacks from Candy’s sugar content results in health, instead of indulging into
selling of candy hurt clubs, but it is home to eat, our school’s economy is students who consume it getting candy. If they actually stop to think
also inconsistent with other policies hurt, as clubs no longer gain the sugar rushes. This generally will about all of the damages eating
the school has. Why should students money they could have if students have a crashing effect on the stu- candy brings about, they will be
be allowed to hold bake sales, were buying their snacks from them. dent’s performance in school and more motivated to switch to a
where sugary brownies, cakes, This ban has proved to be a other aspects, and it sends the healthier lifestyle. In addition, if
cookies, and other treats are sold, if futile effort because no matter what wrong message to them about fit- one eats healthier, one will surely
they are not allowed to sell candy? students are allowed or not allowed ness and good health. Sugar can feel more refreshed instead of feel-
Sure, it may be another method for to eat in school, the way they eat out- cause hyperactivity, anxiety, diffi- ing down after a sugar crash. It
students to raise money for clubs, side of school will not be changed. culty concentrating, and crankiness may be a hard transition at first,
but it does so by the same means as There are many students who do not in children and teenagers. It is also but students will eventually see the
selling candy: providing students eat in school at all, and instead either the leading cause of diabetes, hy- great benefits that eating healthy
with unhealthy foods. Banning go out to eat at the many unhealthy foods provides. ◙
candy sales is also clearly seen as fast food locations that surround our
hypocritical when one looks at the school, or bring lunch from home,
things students can buy in our own which could include whatever they
cafeterias. The dining halls, where
the food that is sold is selected by
want. Students who know they get Do you have an opinion of your own
hungry during the school day can
New York City officials them- bring their own snacks for eating that you would like to share?
selves, sell several different types of
cookies. They also sell Snapple
during the day. No matter what is
done, if a student has not been Email us at:
cans, one of which has 34 grams of brought up in a household where un-
sugar. This is almost the same as the healthy foods are frowned upon and
sugar content in a can of Coca Cola,
which has 39 grams of sugar. If
healthy foods are praised, the student
will not respect the efforts being
EIC@stuystandard.org
made by our school. ◙
6 The STUYVESANT STANDARD January 29, 2009 –VOL.8, NO.7 OPINIONS
TSS//Amna Ahmad
noyed and frustrated, but I was
also enlightened. Before this hap-
On the last day of winter pened, I had never really noticed
vacation, at 7:55 pm., I lost my that being able to communicate
voice. It was sudden, unexpected, through a common language is so
and shocking, and it felt strange. I crucial. It is basically the only way
felt like I could tell my mom what we can understand each other with-
I wanted for dinner or laugh at the out applying extraneous amounts
way my hamsters were running, of effort. I can even say that it is
but I could not. All that came out one of the pillars of civilization.
was a low, hoarse noise, not even I am pretty sure the grunting and
pleasant enough to be considered mumbling cavemen got into quite a
sound. few fights over miscommunica-
The next morning I still tions.
felt fine, and I was about to wish Just imagine how silent the
my mom a good morning, when world would be if no one, nothing
nothing happened; no sound came at all, could emit a sound. Of
out at all! I then packed my bag course, everyone would just use
and grudgingly came to school, not sign language, but the beauty of
even able to cry out when the train sound would be lost, and the feel-
doors closed in front of my face. I ing with which we convey our
must admit I did get lucky: in Eng- emotions would not be as deep.
lish, we mostly checked over our Facial expressions and miming can
papers; in Math, I could afford not only get you so far, because the
to participate for one day; in Band, slight undertones of sadness or the
you are not “allowed” to talk, and wild shrieks of joy are things that
in Italian, well, my teacher under- can only be experienced through
stood. sound and the people who produce
Then came period six, the it.
hard part: lunch. My friends all had After four days of not be-
exciting stories to tell about their ing able to talk to my friends or
adventures over winter break, but participate in class, and after ex-
when it was my turn, once again tensively miming or whispering
nothing came out of my mouth. I everything I wanted to say, my
did try mouthing my sentences vocal chords healed. Although I
mimicking them with wild hand was extremely happy to no longer
gestures, and sometimes whisper- be held back from expressing my-
ing them (which did not work be- self as I wanted to, I also learned
cause I was so quiet no one heard the importance of sound in its role
me the first time, and by the sec- of communicating. Being able to
ond, I had no voice left). It all speak is an incredible ability, and I
turned out to be more of a strange hope you realize that. ◙
Communication is the process of imparting information from a sender to a receiver through mediums such as audi-
tory means.
X O T S A F E E T A R E
T T N P R S R B U L G E Find all of the words
listed below.
C A E E R G N I D L A B
R R V A Y I S A I O I E The remaining letters
I D A R N R C P O P N P will spell out the
puzzle’s
M R E C E E P E U A D E secret word.
E I H I K A T N S D E P
A E S S I L V E R M S P
Look in the next issue
to find out what it
S O T N E M E S A B R E was.
R E B M O S Y G O L D R
Word Bank
Last issue’s
SPEAR [3 Rice ALTER SILVER REAR SOMBER
Krispies ALTAR GOLD BULGE SPUDS
secret word:
HEAVEN
MELT spokespeo- CRIME RARER LANE HONEY
BARGAIN ple] SALT SANE INCHES PAIN REVOLUTIONS
BASEMENT TEAL PEPPER STUDIOUS FEET GAME
PRICES BALDING LEOTARD BEEPS REALMS VENTS
ROSIER REPAIR
ENTERTAINMENT The STUYVESANT STANDARD January 29, 2009 –VOL.8, NO.7 9
Pistons/Nuggets
Trade Working Out
For Both Teams
Continued from page 12
nails defense, and solid point guard
skills. I believe that the deal bene-
cause Iverson is the “answer” fits both teams, because the trade
that they need to make the helped to fill in the holes in both
playoffs this year. Iverson is a teams. The Nuggets got a more
veteran shooting guard who balanced team, whereas the Pistons
can not only dish off assists, got a veteran player who could
but can create his own shot in really step up when the game is
the lane. Iverson hasn’t been tight.
able to get a Championship However, I feel that Iver-
Ring all these years, and this son can’t really bring to the Pistons
may be his last shot. If Coach anything new because Hamilton
Michael Curry is willing to can do most of the things that Iver-
bench Rip Hamilton, there son can do. Billups and Hamilton
could be some real chemistry would be able to handle most of
between Iverson and Rodney the scoring and guard work from
Stuckey, a second year guard the perimeter. Truthfully, whether
who averages 23 points, five or not the Pistons go far this year
assists, and four rebounds. might not even depend on Iver-
But the real question son’s performance. All Pistons
is whether Iverson’s scoring fans can hope for is that Iverson
ability really compensate for develops some quick chemistry
Billup’s 3 point shot, tough as with the players on his team. ◙
Gators March to
Second Title in
Three Years
Continued from page 12
Great Start
itself down as soon as they any football fan, player or coach
needed a big play to keep a drive will tell you: it’s not easy to
going. They finished 6/13 on mount a comeback when you
third down, but more importantly only have the ball for ten min-
0/2 on fourth down. One of those utes a half.
The Gators will return to Continued from page 12 seven points with two minutes left
fourth downs was an impressive
Gainesville to celebrate their Eddie Cytryn. “The real test will in the game, all we needed to do
goal line stand by the Gators in
second National Championship be to see how we deal with prepar- was hold on and we couldn't capi-
the first half; the other one ended
in three years. But for Oklahoma ing for the next game. We can’t let talize. However, we are hoping to
all hope of a Sooners comeback in
and Coach Bob Stoops, the wel- the loss shake our confidence.” come back and beat Bayard at
the fourth. According to the Her-
come will be different. Stoops’ Looking ahead at home by learning from our mis-
ald Tribune, after the game, Brad-
teams have now lost 5 straight the schedule, the boys play all takes from last game,” says
ford lamented all of the chances
bowl games, and he will un- teams that they have already Chiusano. As we eagerly anticipate
missed by the Sooner offense, “In
doubtedly face a lot of tough beaten until February 6, when they that game, the team has to focus on
the first half, we squandered some
questions. ◙ will look to avenge their loss at the rest of its games to make sure
opportunities to score…in the
home against Bayard Rustin. “We that it doesn’t mess up by being
second half, when we needed to
fought hard in a tough game which overly confident. ◙
make plays, we just couldn't do
we really should have won. Up by
12 The STUYVESANT STANDARD January 29, 2009–VOL.8, NO.7 SPORTS
TSS/Elissa Tam
back from the break strong,
winning an impressive game
over Martin Luther King
After a disappointing High School, 67-42.
6-6 record last season, the JV The recent loss comes
boys basketball team was off as a surprise to the team, but
to an excellent 4-0 start be- they knew that they couldn’t
fore losing to Bayard Rustin maintain a perfect record for-
Educational Complex. The ever. “Losing is part of the
team is not disheartened, game,” says sophomore cap-
though, as they know that tain Scott Chiusano.
they are a good team and can “Hopefully we can use this
bounce back from the loss. loss as a learning experience
The JV squad opened for the rest of the season so
the season in December with we can accomplish our goal
a 25 point win over Food and of winning the division.”
Finance High School, then a Chiusano’s feelings
week later squeezed by Louis are mirrored by sophomore
Brandeis 43-40. They won
Continued on page 11