shieldFebruary 2010 4200 Andover Rd, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302 Volume XLVII Issue IV

Holocaust survivor reminisces> B1 > B6

-GM and Chrysler appear to be back on track A3

-Pan starts a new club A5

-Hwu got a 2400 on the SAT B1

-Linda Hutchinson Scholarship B2

-BFS winter conditioning C1

   After a career that started with difficulty finding a job and ended as superintendent

of a top school district, Dr. Steven Gaynor is retiring. “I was surprised [with his decision],” says Principal Robert Durecka. “He still brings a lot of energy to work with him everyday and obviously there’s a lot of work to do. Everyone was surprised.” Dr. Gaynor responds to Durecka’s surprise by saying, “I’ve been told by my friends who have retired that you just know when the time is right,” says Gaynor. “And I think it just felt like the time was right. There wasn’t one event that said ‘Oh my G-d’ I have to get out of here. It’s just time to retire and do other things.” Gaynor isn’t quite sure what those “other things” are yet. He continues, “I taught a graduate class in school administration at Oakland University last semester for one evening a week. I’m doing the same this semester and I’ve really enjoyed doing that, but beyond this I have no idea.” Mrs. Cathy Gaynor says, “We could be spending a lot of time at our cottage by Lake Michigan.” Dr. Gaynor spent the first seven years of his career as a teacher in Livonia, Madison Heights, and Walled Lake. “I was laid off three times in those seven years. Things were much like they were in teaching now-very little demand for new teachers, but a lot of us coming out of college.”

Gaynor retiresAfter seven years as super-intendent for Bloomfield Hills Schools, Gaynor will retireDerek Wolfestaff writer

>A5see GAYNOR

Senior Kyle Taylor establishes a scholarship in memory of model secretary Linda Hutchinson

Remembering Hutchinson

> B2see LINDA

A change of life, not life-changingFast facts

on diabetesFreshman Hadley Horton has been diagnosed with diabetesJessica Rankemanaging editor

Arriving home from her trip over Thanksgiving vacation, Hadley Horton’s life was about to change. “When I got to the doctor’s office, the doctor just kind of looked at me and was like, ‘you’ve got to go to the hospital’,” the 15-year-old freshman

explains. “I cried because it was such a shock. I was scared. But when I got into the hospital

people asked if I was a visitor [because just by looking at me] they would never have

known I was sick.”    Horton explains that upon noticing heightened thirst, she suspected something was wrong and tested her blood sugar with a glucose meter the

family had at home. When the results came back higher than normal, Horton went to go see her doctor. On November 30, Horton became one of more than 13,000 teenagers a year who are diagnosed with the lifelong condition type 1 diabetes. According to pediatrician Dr. Rachel George, diabetes results from the body’s lack of insulin. There are two different types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. 

“As a medical professional, it is a challenge giving the news to families [because] this is a life-long thing. There is no cure,” says George. Of the two types, George explains, “If a teen is diagnosed with type 1, it is a real shock, [because now] they have to take insulin, check their blood sugar multiple times a day and go on a diet. Type 1 diabetics also need to take an insulin shot. This changes their lifestyle and makes it much more disciplined.” Since hearing the news that his oldest of two daughters was diagnosed with this chronic condition, Dave Horton tries to maintain a positive attitude. “My initial reaction was ‘wow, this is my kid and she has [diabetes].’ I was disappointed. I knew how devastating diabetes can be, this is [now] a life long thing for her,” says Dave Horton. “But my feeling today is that this is my kid, and I can’t cure it but I can do everything possible to make it easier. We’re not distraught over it because we know it is very manageable.” Hadley also shares her father’s optimistic outlook concerning her condition. “It’s just one extra thing I would never have thought I’d have to worry about,” she says. “But it’s not going to affect me in a way like I’m going to die early.

    Linda Hutchinson was the secretary of Model High School for 14 years and a mother of two children, Nicole and Craig Hutchinson.The 53-year-old woman passed away of natural causes on November 30, 2009 To honor the memory of Hutchinson, senior Kyle Taylor is establishing a scholarship in her name to be awarded to a Model High School student each year. This scholarship will be given to the Model High School student who best exhibits Model’s core values, based upon nominations by faculty and staff members at the school. Taylor explains, “I was going to do something

for charity week but, after Linda passed away, I thought that it would be better to create this scholarship. It will travel with Model, should it ever move, so that a part of Linda will always be at the school.” Reflecting on his interactions with Hutchinson, Taylor noted that, “She’s one of the people who helped make Model what it is today. She is so important because, in addition to being a great person, friend, and coworker, she acted as the vice principal, the psychologist, and the counselor.”

Lauren Hendricksonsenior advisor/web page editor

LINDA HUTCHINSON

DR. STEVE GAYNOR

>A5see DIABETES

-Diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin

-The last 30 years has seen a three-fold increase in the number of cases of child-hood diabetes

-Type 1 diabetes is increasing in children at a rate of 3% each year.

-Globally, there are close to 500,000 children under the age of 15 with type 1 diabetes

Sabah Moghul shows how to put on a hijab

In December of 2009, the building principals at Andover, Lahser, and Model sent home a letter detailing the possibility of “random canine drug searches.” “[The dogs] are more of a deterrent to sway kids that may be in the bubble to keep the stuff out of the school,” says Andover Principal Robert Durecka, “It will be during school hours, while school is in session. The dogs will never have contact with students. We intend to continue on

with the school day.” “Andover isn’t the only school being searched: Lahser, Model, and Bowers High School will also be searched ‘in the near future.’ “It was a collaborative decision of the building principals working through the board of education; we went to the asstistant superintendents and talked to them about it, and talked to the board,”

says Durecka. According to Durecka, administrators have the right to search lockers. “If the dogs detect anything, we will then accompany the handlers to something like a locker and open it up. Lockers remain school property, and as administrators, we can really open them whenever we want. At that point, our policy is that any possessions are a police issue.” In addition to lockers, the dogs will be checking

around the school and in the student parking lots.

Gabe Menchacabusiness manager

Bloomfield Township Police Department K9

Unit

-the longest standing canine unit in Oakland County

-in the 70’s, there were seven dog-han-dlers and seven dogs, and now the department has downsized to two dog-han-dlers and two dogs

-the K9 teams search build-ings, track suspects and respond to narcotics calls Officer Angela Carlson, seen here with her dog Blaez, has been

working with the Bloomfield Township K9 unit since late November. She, along with Officer Jason Kollman and other officers, will be conducting the Andover searches.

Andover, Lahser, Model, and Bowers High School will be subject to random canine drug searches

Blaez, Officer Angela Carlson’s one and a half

year-old, 65-pound sable german shepard will be one of the dogs

searching Andover in the upcoming months.

theschool

Freshman Hadley Horton must check her

blood sugar multiple

times a day and

if the results

are high, give her-

self an insulin

shot.

newsA2

Excellence is not proven by an exam

Taking a final exam is unnecessary for A students

Our turn

Editors-in-Chief:Jake Gordon

Bridget Sanders

Managing Editor:Jessica Ranke

Senior Advisors:Saloni Godbole

Lauren HendricksonAndrew Weiner

Junior Advisor:Rachel Rohr

Web Editors:Lauren Hendrickson

Kyle Kavanagh

Graphics:Kyle Kavanagh

Copy Editor:Alex Chudler

Photographers:Madeline McIlhon

David Yu

Business Manager:Gabe Menchaca

Distribution Manager:Chelsea Jolly

News Page Editors:Talia Goldman

Pamela PenslerAlana Tabak

Sports Page Editors:Emily LangnasLauren LewisMatt Luckoff

Life Page Editors:Melanie Greenspan

Marley KaltEmma Reidsma

Sara Smoler

Staff Illustrator:Josh Loney

Staff Writers: Jarred Bratley Sam Gordon Ashley DuBois Nicole Kiester Emma Enache Kaya Koscielny James Feuereisen Summer Krinsky Audrey Fotouhi Andrew Pan Joudeh Freij Derek Wolfe Michael Georgizas Anna Zambelli Elizabeth Glenn

Advisor:Christina Hammitt

At the end of each semester, Andover students begin study-ing frantically for seven different final exams. By the end of high school, the average Andover student will have taken 56 finals. In order to study for those numerous tests, students sacrifice sleep, hygiene and free time, transforming from pre-viously cheerful teenagers to virtual zombies during finals week. But is all this trauma really necessary for every student? According to Teacher’s Group, the purpose of final examinations is for students to demonstrate that they have learned the mate-rial taught in the course throughout the year. Fi-nals are also a chance for students who did not previously grasp the concepts to go back and gain that knowledge. However, some students have already shown that they have mastered the information with good grades on tests and an A in the class. Therefore, students with A’s should not have to take final exams. Students who have done well all semester and have A’s are suddenly stricken with panic dur-ing finals week because their grade could drop if they do not study enough. All this stress and anxiety should not be thrust upon those respon-sible students. Finals are meant to be an opportunity to raise a poor grade, not lower a good one. Students should be re-warded for their hard work with a break from tests, and not punished with such a large, looming one. By exempting stu-dents with A’s from finals, students would be encouraged to work harder throughout the entire year. Finals are weighted far too much out of the grade in the class as well. One single test should not be the determining

factor for an entire semester grade, but 15-20 percent can do just that. If a student has 100 percent in the class but fails the final, their grade could drop a whole level from an A+ to a B-. One off day could ruin a student’s whole at a good grade. With seven tests to study for, students do not have adequate time to dedicate to each class, and after-school sports and clubs do

not halt for finals. Students are forced to choose which class is more important to study for, wheth-er to miss a big game, and even whether or not to sleep. By eliminating finals in the classes with A’s, students could have more time to devote to the classes in which they truly need to study and learn what they didn’t previously understand. There is a lot of evidence that stress during fi-nals week has many negative effects on students’ health. According to Scienceline.org, the strain of studying and the change in sleeping patterns can actually degrade the immune system and make students get sick easily. Such stress and sleep deprivation can also lead to drowsiness, less concentration and therefore worse performance on tests, irritability, poor decisions and depres-sion. Removing some stress by having less finals

would decrease these harmful effects dramatically. There are many reasons why exempting students with A’s from taking finals would benefit students and the entire school environment. Students would finally see a tangible reason to master the material and keep up a solid A throughout the en-tire year. Having final exams be the deciding factor between grades should be brought to an end.

Check out The Andover Shield at

www.andovershield.com

staff

You should always take finals.

No, students with A’s deserve a break.

-Michael Fazzio, junior

Your turn:Should students who have an ‘A’ have to take the final?

Editorial Policy The Andover Shield is a student publication distributed free of charge to all Andover students with a total press run of 1,500. We strive to inform, entertain, and serve as a limited but open forum for students, parents, administrators, and members of the community, while continuing a tradition of journalistic excellence. Have an opinion? Letters to the Editor can be dropped off in Miss Hammitt’s room, 306, and may be edited for content and/or space.

Yes; it’s unfair to every-body that does.

-Shantel MacKenzie,senior

JOSH LONEY/shield

-Tiffany Su, sophomore

Students sacrifice sleep, hy-giene and free time.

news A3

Does Michigan give you the upper hand?

Hide theNutellaNutella proves to be one of Goldman’s favorite spreads

I take a bite. Oh my goodness. It’s heavenly. It’s delicious. It’s Nutella. Possibly the one good thing that came of World War II, the creamy mix of cocoa and hazelnuts was created by Pietro Ferrero in 1940 to combat the shortage of cocoa due to the war. Nowadays, Nutella is wildly popular throughout Europe and has achieved a status equivalent to America’s peanut butter. My Nutella fixation began at a young age. When I was three years old, my entertainment for a long plane ride from Spain to home was a jar of Nutella which the three of us ate straight from the jar until the sides were clean. Today, Nutella is a staple in our household pantry. Waking up at 6 a.m. is so much better when I have the temptation of creamy, chocolatey spread as a part of my morning meal, and it is quick and easy to make. My personal favorite is spreading it on whole wheat toast and eating it with bananas. However, its use does not end there; Nutella can also improve a baguette, English muffins, waffles and more, as well as a spoon. But being a Nutella connoisseur is not as simple as enjoying it for breakfast or a snack. Learning how to pronounce it correctly is also important. Although it makes sense in English to say “NUT-ella,” especially since it’s made from hazelnuts, it is pronounced “NEW-tella,” the Italian way. Improper pronunciation of this delicious treat will shame you forever in the Europeans’ eyes. I have slowly tried to make the switch to proper pronunciation, and hopefully I would make Pietro proud. Even better, this tasty treat also has nutritional benefits. Since it is made from hazelnuts, it contains protein and is a source of heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Unfortunately, many people across the world share my love of the addictive spread and my brother is one of them. He eats as much as he can straight from the jar. My parents have taken to hiding it, although this does not deter him from searching all the kitchen cabinets when he has a craving. The Nutella is taken out from its hidden spot on Tuesday mornings for him as a bribe to go to band before school. I cannot reveal its current location---he reads The Shield. An example of the worldwide Nutella obsession came to life one night at a cross country pasta party. No, it was not spread on the pasta, but my mother put it on the table to spread on bread. Between a couple German exchange students, a girl who had lived in England, and a girl from Belgium, Nutella was an international hit at the table. Other girls on the team also had a taste, and Nutella was eaten by the spoonful, on bread and on cookies. The only way to be fully convinced that Nutella is possibly the best thing I have ever tasted is to try it. I heartily suggest that waking up in the dark be livened up by including Nutella in a 6:30 breakfast. This comes with a warning: once Nutella is introduced to the family, it might need a hiding place.

Talia Goldmannews page editor

Pro ConAlana Tabaknews page editor

Chelsea Jollydistribution manager

GM and Ford have strong showings

It’s been a rough few years for Detroit. Specifically, it’s been a rough few years for the Big Three. Rapidly declining sales and quick-but-unsustainable profit-making leadership led to a soap opera of mass layoffs, near collapse of companies, government bailouts for Chrysler and General Motors, brand restructuring, executive shake-ups, Michigan’s economy tanking, and a general throwing-out of the rule books. At the start of the new decade, however, Detroit appears to be back on track towards

relevance and profitability. Ford has one of the strongest model lineups on the market (winning both North American Car and Truck of the Year awards), GM is nearly done downsizing to its core, profitable brands and Chrysler seems to have found a compatible parent company in Fiat to move forward with. Ford and GM started the decade strong with several impressive showings at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, Chrysler not so much. Here’s a recap of some of what the companies are showing:

FORD: The new Ford Focus was unveiled and is arguably the most important car in their lineup. The third generation is the beginning of Ford’s global approach, designing one car for European and American markets. The Focus is the first taste Americans will get of

Andrew Weinersenior life advisor

Ford’s ‘Kinetic’ design language. It looks amazing in both hatchback and sedan variants and with several more iterations including a

three-door and hardtop convertible, the Focus should fair well in a competitive arena. Inside the majorly refreshed Lincoln MKX is the new driver connect interface MyFord/MyLincoln Touch. Ford has developed a new large touch screen interface that attempts to revolutionize in-car technology. MyFord Touch trades in hard buttons in favor of climate, entertainment, navigation, and communication features, all controlled through an easy-to-use eight- inch touch screen, along with two smaller screens on either side of the speedometer.

GENERAL MOTORS: Chevrolet showed a concept Aveo RS. This is a dolled-up version of what will be replacing the repulsive looking and noncompetitive current Aveo. While better looking than the outgoing model, even with 19-inch wheels and blue halogen

What would you find in a Michigander’s garage? Skis, water skis, basketballs, baseballs, golf clubs, ice skates, wakeboards, snowboards, tubes, even life jackets. Michigan is a unique state in that it gives its citizens the luxury to enjoy an array of activities and opportunities. There is nothing like waking up to the birds chirping and the refreshing smell after a brisk rain shower in the spring, or witnessing the transformation of those cool green leaves into warm yellows, oranges, and reds, creating a magical blaze in autumn. Winter brings that fairy tale winter wonderland as every inch of every tree is painted in snow. Laying out in the perfect 78 degree weather along with that satisfying breeze is typical Michigan when summer blows along. The best part about Michigan, hands down, is living in all four seasons. Each one has something different to offer, giving every few months a little spice. When fall drops in so does the opening of the Franklin Cider Mill, letting our taste buds go wild with their scrumptious donuts and cider until the first snow fall. As the first flakes arrive, the chair lifts kick into gear as Michiganders hit the slopes in our 42 different ski resorts. Once everything has melted, the flowers bloom and the green begins to brighten, and this behavior continues until the end of summer when the cycle starts all over again. Who wouldn’t want to live in a place like Michigan? The main reason I love it here so much is just being able to experience every smell, sound, sight, and feeling that each season brings. Besides the mixture of weather and scenery, Michigan is home to the Great Lakes. According to the Michigan Lookup, our shoreline is longer than every other state except Alaska. Considering the size of our state to others I find it pretty amazing and lucky that we are able to live in a place with so many lakes and so much water surroundings us almost everywhere. Without these lakes , we would not have the freedom to ice skate in the winter or go boating in the summer. In fact, Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations, according to the Michigan Lookup. I couldn’t imagine living in a state where there wasn’t a lake within five minutes from my house or not having a friend who owned a boat or a wakeboard. I find it crazy that the Great Lakes account for 1/5 of the world’s surface freshwater supply. Living in Michigan is a dream come true. Having two different lives comes with the territory in Michigan. Most Michiganders have their daily lives in the southern parts of Michigan, but live the dream up north. At least 1 in 3 of my friends owns a cottage or vacation spot up north in every season. The best is the four wheeling and boating during summer and spring, the sledding and snowmobiling in the winter, and the golfing in the fall. According to the Michigan Lookup we have more than 4,000 miles of snowmobile trails and are home to more public golf courses than any other state. Michigan is the best place to have fun and find adventure. I go up north every season to enjoy each of these activities, and they never get old. I do feel sorry for those who have yet to discover what

its like to be a true Michigander and to live in this remarkable state.

My pants are soaked, my hands are scraped (although I can’t feel them because they are numb), and the pain from my twisted ankle is throbbing. I just slipped on ice. Michigan is unbearably cold. According to countrystudies.us, the average temperature in winter in the Detroit metropolitan area is 22ºF. I hate wearing five layers of clothing just to step outside for two minutes and still be extremely cold. I hate wiping snow and ice off my windshield every morning. I hate the never-ending days filled with cloudy skies. Sure, someone could like the snow and cold temperatures and that it makes for good skiing, but if good skiing is what someone wants then he or she should go to Aspen. Michigan isn’t exactly a skiing hotspot, considering the fact Colorado’s slopes are part of the rocky mountains and Michigan’s are just big man made hills. Furthermore, every Michigander knows Michigan’s economy is not doing great recently. Michigan’s economy relies heavily on the American car companies. Since many Americans, including me, would rather buy a foreign car, Michigan’s economy continues to plummet. I just love living in a dying economy. According to Michigan’s government website, the number of unemployed Michiganders have increased by 290,000 in just one year. 15.3 percent of Michigan’s residents are unemployed. Watching and hearing about families that are financially struggling does not add much charm to Michigan’s freezing climate. Let’s say I wanted to get out of the suburbs for a day and go to the city. What city could I go to? There’s not much to do in Detroit compared to cities like Los Angeles, where you can visit places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, wax museums, Robertson Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue and Beverly Hills. Detroit is ranked as the third most dangerous city in the United States according to associatedcontent.com. Did I mention that Flint is ranked number six on the same list, making Michigan the only state to have two cities on the list? Not only does Michigan have horribly cold conditions, a bad economy, and dangerous cities, but it is also not the home of some of America’s best restaurants and stores. My favorite smoothie place is Jamba Juice. Are there any Jamba Juice stores in Michigan? Nope. Michigan also doesn’t have a Cheesecake Factory, Pinkberry, In N’ Out Burger, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr., and El Pollo Loco. And that’s just to name a few. Michigan also does not have stores like Intermix, Mango, Zara, Bloomingdales, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Michigan lacks a lot of key American chains. Maybe we should become part of Canada; we do have Tim Hortons. Teenagers hate knowing there are restaurants and stores out there that they cannot access easily, and they want what they can’t have. As I look down at my scraped, numb hands, wet pants, and twisted ankle, I wonder,”Why on earth am I in Michigan?”

headlights competitor Ford Fiesta’s (Aveo’s main rival) design looks more thought out. The RS’s cool asymmetrical motorcycle-inspired interior, however, sets it apart from rivals. GM’s luxury brand seems ready to take on German competition with the Cadillac XTS and CTS-V coupe. Though called a concept, the XTS is almost exactly the sedan that will head to production. With a bold design (despite lanky front and rear overhangs) and impressive hybrid powerplant, the XTS should be the flagship sedan Cadillac desperately needs. Though the CTS-V won’t pay the GM’s bills, the 556-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 coupe could be the halo car Cadillac needs.

CHRYSLER: Okay, Chrysler might have been better to sit out NAIAS this year. The company scheduled no press conferences and besides a myriad of special editions of nearly dead models, quietly introducted the bizarre Chrysler Delta, a rebadged European Lancia Delta they’re pegging as a “design study.” Well, here’s to next year…

Detroit appears to be back on track towards revelance and profitablity

New GM and Ford models at 2010 North American Internation-al Auto Show appear promising

newsA4

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news A5

As a sophomore, I had an idea. But, since I was too busy with classes and various extracurricular activities, it sat bubbling in the back of my mind for the next 365 days. Finally, time presented itself and I picked up the phone and started my journey. This was my chance to create something that could make a difference. I was going to form a club. But I didn’t want to form just any run-of-the-mill, stick-on-your-college-app club. I wanted to bring something to Andover that would make students think outside the box. This is why I called the Michigan branch of the FPSPI (Future Problem Solving Program International) office. Grade-grubbers make me sick and this organization lends itself to those few, like

myself, who believe that getting the “A” doesn’t mean one truly understands the material. Skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and reasoning, c o m p r e h e n s i o n , evaluation, and application are much more difficult. With FPSPI, we are forced to

use these HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills). I think FPS (Future Problem Solving) is great because it not only opens our eyes to global problems ranging from endangered species and technology to world hunger and international relations outside the school textbook, but also makes us use our heads in ways other than memorizing vocabulary and solving book problems. After doing some research, I learned that this international organization involves over 250,000 students from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and the United States. I asked Mrs. Seitz to be our sponsor because I remembered that she always told us to “Be the thinker, not the key-stroker.” We may very well end up on the club’s list next year. In the mean time, I’m just glad everything is up and running. Making a club wasn’t as hard as I thought. I admit, with homework, standardized tests, family, and many other clubs to attend to, I don’t have a lot of time left. And, the problems are very difficult and feel more like rubric-guided writing rather than thinking about what could happen 50 years from now. But in the end, I feel good and I know it was worth it.

The Cafeteria has finally advanced into the twenty-first century. With the installation of two new televisions, students will be able to watch channels such as ESPN and CNN during lunchtime. The televisions were paid for by the graduation classes of 2008 and 2009 with the money remaining in their class funds. According to Robert Durecka, principal, the money was raised from sales of tickets to the all night party as well as other fundraisers that the class of ‘09 had

participated in to pay for dances such as prom. “The [graduating class] then decided to use the money to improve Andover. The class of 2008 purchased the rock outside the front of the school, so the 2009 class wanted to purchase something different,” says Durecka. The decision to purchase the two LED televisions was made by the class of 2009 for several reasons. “We wanted them to give something that the school could move if necessary. They needed to be portable because there is a possibility that Andover and Lasher will combine into one school, and the gift was going to be expensive, so why not make sure we could keep it?” says Durecka. The class of 2009 made their final decision and provided the school with two LED flat screens, which were later chosen to be hung in the cafeteria. “The cafeteria is a place where we can

TAndover’s technical advances include two new tvs in the cafeteriaJoudeh Freij staff writerLauren Lewis sports page editorEmma Reidsma life page editor

Thinking out-side the box

from A1

DIABETES: Horton

Pan organizes the beginning of a new club that involves rea-soning about global issues

Andrew Panstaff writer

have leisure,” says Rubel. “It’s nice that if things go wrong [in the world], there is a gathering place for the students, a place where they can get information.” While the televisions may be up there is still more work to be done before the televisions will be operating properly. “The TVs are not ready yet,” says Rubel, “They will be used more in later years. We are in the midst of getting cable boxes from Comcast. It’s an issue of getting the best deal.” Students should look forward to the new technology in the cafeteria for the years to come. “Once the boxes are installed, students will be able to watch ESPN and news programs. There will be some allowance for other channels, but it has to be school appropriate.” According to Durecka, the TVs in the cafeteria are scheduled to be ready for use by next school year.

comes to the I wanted to bring something to Andover that would make students think outside the box.

The fact that I’m going to have to depend on insulin my whole life is scary, but I’ve got to deal with it,” Horton continues. “But it’s not going to affect anything besides what I have to do. It is just one more thing to worry about and another thing I’m going to have to deal with my whole life.” Now as one of the 10 percent of diabetics diagnosed with type 1, Horton learns that the consequences of ignoring her condition can lead to serious health complications in both the short and long term. “If you are insulin dependent and don’t take it the blood sugar goes high and you can get dehydrated and go into a coma,” says George. “Diabetes is a condition that damages all blood vessels so it can affect the heart, kidney, eyes, nerves and gonads. If you don’t take proper care, not only can you go into a coma, you can also sustain long term damage.” Horton has remained on top of her condition with the support of her friend, freshman Camille Jonna, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes nearly four years ago. “Hadley texted me and she said ‘I found out we have more in common than I thought’ and told me she had diabetes. I started crying because

I knew what she was going to go through and I knew it was going to be hard for her,” says Jonna. “It was such a surprise to find out. I told her I will always be there for her. We’re both kind of there for each other now.” Jonna showed her support by visiting Horton during her three day stay at the Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak soon after she was

diagnosed. There, she explained to Horton what she would be going through during the next few months and assured her friend that things would get better.      “When I was in the hospital Camille came to see me and she explained to me how the first couple of weeks you’re just going to be saying ‘why me, why is this me’,” says Horton.

“But after a while, she said it’s like brushing your teeth, you think about it and you do it. It’s not something that’s going to take up your time.” Although in the past few months her diet may have changed and she’s acquired some new responsibilities, Horton insists she is no different from the person she was before her diagnosis. She says, diabetes is simply “a change of life, not life changing.”

The fact that I’m going to have to depend on insulin my whole life is scary, but I’ve got to deal with it.Hadley Hortonfreshman

After teaching, he was a special education consultant, elementary principal, senior high school principal, director of special education, assistant superintendent and superintendent of Royal Oak Schools. Even after being through all of these diverse occupations, he never thought he would be in administration. “[My wife and I] wanted to be teachers, and that’s as far as my thinking went. She’s been a teacher this whole time, but I followed a different path. It was that ability to affect students in a different way that made me want to go into administration.” When Dr. Gaynor decided to come to Bloomfield Hills Schools, Mrs. Gaynor says that, “she was very supportive of the move and was ready for a new challenge. We talked a lot (about coming to Bloomfield Hills), but I left the final

from A1

GAYNOR: retiring from BHSDdecision up to him.” Dr. Gaynor faced many challenges in his tenure in Bloomfield Hills. These included many disagreements from fellow faculty members and the public as well as being superintendent during tough economic times. However, “We are in a better [financial] position than many other [schools], and that’s largely under Dr. Gaynor’s leadership. It’s due to bargaining and concessions that were one for all groups,” says Mr. Durecka. Dr. Gaynor also states that, “25 percent of the class of 2008 from both Andover and Lahser was accepted into the University of Michigan.” This academic and financial success gives Dr. Gaynor a legacy not to be forgotten. According to Board President Martin Brook, “Dr. Gaynor will be

remembered as a person who had big ideas and a vision. Not all of the ideas were accepted by the community or came to fruition, but many did. His fiscal leadership has kept the District in a strong financial position.” Mrs. Durecka says that, “he is someone who truly cared about the whole educational process and the kids who we service in this district and about maintaining strong programs for our students. When Dr. Gaynor retires, we’ll remember someone who continued to make sure that Bloomfield Hills Schools maintained high standards.” Mrs. Gaynor concludes, “He’ll miss the day-to-day excitement of the job, but he feels now is the right time to say goodbye.”

Baron CafeV Fast Facts

- The two new LED flat screen TVs were a gift from the graduat-ing class of 2009

- They were placed in the cafeteria to make it a fun area for students

- The televisions should be up and running with Comcast services by next year

Technology

Arianna Quan has a passion for piano > B2

Three cheers for the third dimension

Josh Loneystaff illustrator

Remembering the HolocaustDr. Jack Wayne lives to tell about the atrocities committed against

him during the Holocaust

Pamela Penslernews page editor

Bringing new flavor to West Bloomfield

Test scores, grades, and getting accepted to college. Three extremely important challenges that burden every high school junior’s mind. This year, Eric Hwu joined the ranks of the .02 percentile of people to score a perfect score on the SAT. “Of course I wanted to get a good score,” says Hwu, “but I didn’t expect a perfect [score].” The SAT, an aptitude test, is designed to measure overall performance across a broad range of capabilities. It’s questionable as to whether a test like the SAT can really measure a person’s overall abilities, since there are many factors

Receiving a perfect scoreJunior Eric Hwu receives a 2400 on his SAT after a month of rigorous practiceSummer Krinskystaff writer

that go into how well someone will do in college, and some people are simply just poor test takers. “I think it’s a better indicator of how you’ll do in life,” says Hwu. “There are different kinds of people but that’s why it’s balanced with your grades [for college].” Hwu put a lot of hard work into test preparation, “At first I was doing this by myself, and then I had a tutor, and then I went to this intense SAT camp. They were really focused. It was from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and they made you take a practice test every week.” The SAT camp that Hwu attended was in California, and he spent a month there practicing and improving “It was like school, but for SAT only.” “I was hoping that he could do good,” said Eric’s mother, “At the camp, he could focus better. Every kid needs to do a lot of practice.”

From achieving such an impressive SAT score, Hwu is hoping to get into his schools

of choice. “I’m thinking that the University of Michigan is already a really good school if I could get a good scholarship,” Hwu says, “but my dream schools are Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and Stanford.” For those trying to follow in his footsteps, Hwu says that it’s just

really about the effort, “I think the practice books help a lot. What really helped was taking lots of practice tests. They really simulate the real testing situation. I think the best practice was getting used to thinking on the spot, because you have to know the general ideas.” “As a mom I feel kind of a relief,” says Mrs. Hwu. “Eventually he can get to where he wants and it will all come together. We’re very excited to see what this will lead him to next.”

Fast Facts about the SAT

We scheduled our dinner for 7:00 at 7 Bar and Grill, for seven guests. As the week went on though, members of my party began to drop like flies and my party of seven turned into just three. As my small party of three walked in late after the severe snowstorm, the hostesses smiled politely and asked to take our coats. They were more than helpful and flexible with our big drop in guests and seemed excited to welcome us in from the cold. On January 1, 7 Bar and Grill opened its doors in Old Orchard Plaza on Orchard Lake Road. After frequently driving by the big, fluorescent-lit “7” sign, in the months prior to opening, I was very excited to finally try it out. Walking in, I was immediately blinded by more than ten LCD Plasma TVs that are hanging around the long square bar, showing every Detroit sport. The front of the restaurant is filled with smoke, but the faint aroma of oriental food

is in the distance. My party was escorted to the back of the restaurant, where there are square tables and half-circle booths. We sat in a half-circle booth, crafted from dark mahogany wood. The booths provide a cozy feel and allow guests to see a different view of the room. Around the Asian fusion restaurant, there are splashes of hot red and fluorescent lighting. Unfortunately, the unflattering fluorescent lighting formed unwanted stars in my eyes and made it difficult to see the menu and food I was eating. Our waiter, Seth, was very professional by first introducing himself and asking for our drink orders. Throughout the evening, he was attentive and patient, and our water glasses were always filled. The menu was divided into appetizers, salads and soups and entrees. Highlights from the menu included a Kimichi Chicken Salad ($12.00), a Lemon Groves Chicken ($16.00), and Steak ($30.00). The appetizers range from Edamame Hummus ($8.00) to the Hearts of Shangai ($14.00). We ordered the Asian Nacho Wonton ($11.00), which was hearty and delicious. The Asian Nacho Wonton included grilled chicken, guacamole, peppers, and sour cream. Its zesty

kick made me grateful for the nearby water glass. In addition to the appetizers, we selected some sushi from their limited selection. We selected salmon ($5.50), California ($6.95), and shrimp tempura rolls ($9.95). The sushi was a bit bland and left much to be desired, especially given its steep price. Out of the three, the shrimp tempura roll was the most interesting due to its hint of spicy mayonnaise. Soon after finishing the appetizers and sushi, the waiter brought our entrees. I ordered the Tuna Steak ($22.00), with long green beans and wassabi mashed potatoes. It was absolutely fresh and delicious. The wassabi mashed potatoes melted in my mouth, while the tuna steak made my stomach say “thank you.” The service was most attentive; the manager came up to our table, thanked us, and asked about our dinner. I would not necessarily rate this restaurant 10 out 10 stars due to its lackluster sushi and smoky entrance. Also the 21 or older requirement after 10 p.m. may turn some hungry families away. 7 Bar and Grill is open Monday through Sunday, 4.00 p.m. to 2 a.m.7 Bar and Grill is lcoated in Old Orchard Plaza on Orchard Lake Road.

-The SAT test consists of three scored sections, each on a 200-800 point scale

-About two million students take the SAT worldwide each year

-The mean total score on the SAT (out of 2400) is about 1520

Avatar launches film-making industry into a whole new world

With his first film in 12 years, technical whiz James Cameron stretches special-effects technology far beyond previous limits and has changed the film landscape forever with his sci-fi opus “Avatar.” Unlike other directors who crank out lumbering behemoths of film that have little soul or originality, (ahem, Michael Bay) Cameron has always been concerned first and foremost with telling a good story. With “Avatar” he’s obviously been waiting for the technology to catch up to his imagination. Avatar is a tale of paraplegic ex-marine Jake Sully’s (Sam Worthington, “Terminator Salvation”) adventures on the planet Pandora, which humans are

a t t e m p t i n g to ravage for its natural r e s o u r c e s since Earth has none of its own left. Jake is sent on a mission to gain the indigenous 10-foot tall blue humanoid tribes called Na’vi’s trust, and later convince them

to relocate by having his consciousness uplinked into an “avatar” which looks and feels like one of the natives. I won’t be spoiling anything if I inform you that once the humans start brutally attacking the Na’vi, he switches sides. It’s basically Pocahontas/Dances with Wolves in Space. Motion capture has always been criticized for creating rubbery skinned characters with dead eyes. Robert Zemeckis pioneered this technology in films like “The Polar Express”, “Beowulf” and “A Christmas Carol”, all of which had the aforementioned trademark problems of motion capture. Many critics (including myself) felt that Zemeckis’ films were more concerned with selling the technology than actually making a good movie. Cameron obviously saw Zemeckis’ films. He saw the motion capture character Gollum in “Lord of the Rings”. He saw Davy Jones in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and he saw the titular character King Kong in Peter Jackson’s remake. And he saw he could use this technology better.

The final action sequence is one of the most exhilirating experiences I have ever had.

>B5see AVATAR

B8568 straightens his tie and clears his throat in preparation to tell his story once again. “I think I am one of the luckiest fellows on earth,” says Dr. Jack Wayne, Holocaust survivor. “Chances were so narrow of surviving. I love working with younger people because they are the only ones who can teach us how to move on from prejudice. The young Germans are no different than young people anywhere, the ones who did this to me are long gone or senile.” Wayne, grandfather of senior Chandler Billes and sophomore Cameron Billes, regularly shares his story with various organizations in the Bloomfield community. Granddaughter Chandler Billes says “Eventually, he won’t be able to share anything at all, so it’s important to know what he went through. He is by far one of the best people I know, and I am proud to be his granddaughter.” Wayne recounts his experiences in the Holocaust as he has with groups in synagogues and at the Holocaust Memorial Center. “I was born in a city called Lodz, Poland in 1927. We had a bakery and lived in a nice part of town. There were six kids and we were poor. In September 1939, when I was 12 years old, I came home from school and in front of our bakery

there were tanks; the Germans had invaded. “Within 24 hours, all the Jewish people got together and headed to a ghetto. You had to get yourself over with whatever you could grab in a day, because there was no going back. The real reason we were there was because they needed us to work. I worked at a bakery in the ghetto. Rations didn’t mean anything because Germans didn’t give us anything! Bodies were piled into a mass cemetery. By design, it was a place to weed out the weak.” Next, Wayne’s family was sent off to Auschwitz concentration camp. “We reported at 8 a.m. to the train station and were shoved into cattle wagons. On the train we were told we were going to a place called Auschwitz. You had to pass an inspection from a doctor who was infamous for killing. My brother and I were ordered to go to the “living section.” The rest of my family went to the other line before I got a chance to understand what it meant. We were there for a month, and then got transferred to a coal mine. Sadly, my brother and I got separated.” Wayne remembers his salvation. “A camp near Munich was always burning due to bombing. They got me to be burying dead bodies

outside the camp. We had a secret radio and got word that the army would liberate us. Preparations were made to blow the camp up with people in it. I was caught trying to escape and was shot and left for dead. I just lost consciousness and woke up in an American hospital. I found my brother by

word of a neighbor. Eventually, my sister found us - but that’s it from a huge family of 70 people.” Billes describes the importance of her grandfather’s story in times to come. “We need to remember this and relate it to what is happening in places like Darfur. It is the only way to make sure people like my grandfather didn’t suffer for nothing.” A lesson of perseverance is embedded into Wayne’s story. “I could have committed suicide

anytime I wanted to. People at the camps did it all the time, but I didn’t even consider it for a second because I wanted to live to tell about the atrocities committed against me and my family,” says Wayne. “I could tell you about things I’ve seen where you would say how did you survive that? And I would tell you I don’t know, but I did, I did, I did.”

Dr. Jack Wayne is featured in a textbook titled Living Witnesses: Faces of the Holocaust.

ERIC HWU

Saloni Godbole senior news advisorSam Gordon staff writer

lifeB

7 Bar and Grill brings asian fusion cuisine in a hip and cool setting

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One in six men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Bloomfield Hills Schools District Superintendent Steve Gaynor is one of these individuals.. “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in mid-October,” says Gaynor, who has been the district’s Superintendent since 2002. “There were no symptoms. During a regular physical exam, I had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and it came back high for me, and (when we) re-did the test, and the numbers were the same my doctor recommended an ultrasound and biopsy and that is how the cancer was detected.” Despite the diagnosis, Gaynor has remained positive. His cancer was detected early instead of being detected in its later stages. “I am thankful that I took a preventative test. When the doctor told me there was malignancy, he reassured me that it was early stage and very treatable. It was very reassuring. Obviously, no one wants to go through this but the report was on the positive side.” “The main treatments for prostate cancer are radiation treatment or surgery,” says Internist Dr. Randall Sternberg, who practices in Livonia. “Which one a patient selects is decided on a case by case basis and is determined by the size of the tumor,

past medical h i s t o r y , f a m i l y genetics, and other factors. Both form of treatments have their positives and negatives.” For his p r o s t a t e c a n c e r , G a y n o r e l e c t e d to have s u r g e r y ,

which according to MedicineNet, a medical database, is the most common treatment for prostate cancer, chosen in 36 percent of all cases when the cancer is localized to the prostate. “My wife knew about the test and was prepared for bad news,” says Gaynor. “When the diagnosis came in, the doctor did a very good job of explaining it was early stage and that it was very treatable, which was a huge relief to my wife, Kathleen and I. My sons did not know I was going through the test so it was a real surprise to them and it took them a long time to process it.” “I was very worried when I found out his diagnosis,” says Kathleen Gaynor. “I am at the point in life where I know a fair share of people who have cancer and this time the cancer came to my husband. However, I was confident in the doctor and was sure everything would be fine.” Mrs. Gaynor mentions that her kids did not handle the news well as it came as a complete surprise and it was hard for them to accept the fact that their father had cancer. Once they were educated, however and told that it was early stage and that it was very treatable, they were calmed.” “I had the surgery the week before the December break and recovered during it,” says Gaynor. “They removed my whole prostate. I have not gotten back my pathology reports but no further surgery is expected.” “In most cases there are few long term side effects from surgery,”comments Sternberg. “In most cases, men will experience slight irregularity in bladder control after the surgery, but after a while everything will be back to normal. However, in some cases there can permanent urinary problems which may require a catheter to be inserted. “ “I am the kind of person who worries about everything so I was nervous throughout the procedure,” comments Mrs. Gaynor. “However, I know other people who went through the same procedure and ended up fine, so I was confident, and when the procedure was over with, I was extremely relieved. “ Dr. Sternberg mentions that tests for prostate cancer are a classic example of how early detection can dramatically increase the chances for recovery. “With my husband’s diagnosis, I have only reaffirmed my insistence on getting preventative tests taken,” continues Mrs. Gaynor. “I have used this situation to convince family members to get tested regularly as regular testing can save one’s life.” Dr. Gaynor’s cancer diagnosis came right after he announced his decision in mid-November to retire as Superintendent of the district effective June 30, 2010. “The cancer did not have any effect on my decision to retire,” concludes Gaynor. “If you still want to do what you’re doing, then you try and keep doing it.

When the diagnosis came in, the doctor did a very good job of explaining it was early stage and that it was very treatable, which was a huge relief. Steve Gaynor superintendent

Early detection key to ensure full recoveryJames Feuereisenstaff writer

degree of dedication,” says Rollin. “It is hard to be a regular high school student and go to these competitions. Many of the students go to schools that focus on art, where time for practicing is built into the day. They have a better chance of doing well.” “I know I have to practice because people are very critical of me and do not think I will succeed,” Quan adds. “I have a lot of expectations for myself, and I try to prove them wrong.” Going to the piano competitions was not always an easy decision for Quan to make. “I had to give up going to states for forensics. They were on the same day. In the past I’ve tried to go to both competitions, but then I did not do very well at either one,” says Quan. Quan hopes to make piano a part of her future. “I am going to apply to music schools, but it’s an all or nothing thing,” says Quan. “If I get in to a conservatory, then I’ll go. But a future in music is iffy, especially as a performer, so I get strange looks from every adult that asks me about it. But it’s not like they haven’t wanted to be an astronaut, or a president or something like that once in their lives. And if that person had a chance to ditch that office job and go to the moon, I doubt they’d say no.” “When you’re talking about fields of art, there is so much subjectivity. But [Quan] connects with the music in a special way,” Rollin adds. “When she likes a piece of music she cares deeply about playing it well. She brings the music to life.”

All eyes were on junior Arianna Quan as she slowly sat down at the piano. She could hear the judges whispering behind her as she began to play her first notes. “It’s kind of a like a near death experience,” says Quan. “I get so nervous that I forget to breathe.” In November 2009, Quan placed among the top 40 in the state for piano. Quan made it to the state semi-finals by passing a series of tests. “Before the semi-finals, the students are tested on theory, technique, sight reading and aural awareness,” explains Catherine Rollin, Quan’s piano teacher. “There can be 300-400 students who pass this test, but maybe only 40 go to the semi-finals because they know that it will be too hard. Only about 10 out of the 40 from Southeastern Michigan will make it to the finals.” “Last year, I placed first in the state. I was really surprised, because I was the youngest in my age group. I wasn’t expecting to even make it to finals,” Quan says. Quan has been playing piano “for seven years. I was jealous of my cousin, who started when she was two years old and was getting all the attention. My mom said ‘why can’t you be like her?’” Quan practices her pieces every day, amounting to at least 20 hours a week. “Before a competition, she might practice for 10 hours on a weekend. It requires such a

Playing piano to perfection

Kyle Taylor creates scholarship in honor of the late Model secretary’s memory

Marley Kaltlife page editor

I loved how every morning when we first got to Model, she would greet us with a smile.

-Hunter Cooper, senior

Linda was always a good person to go to for advice and she would always find the time to talk toyou even if she was busy.

-Alex Howard, senior

Your turn:What is your favorite memory of Linda Hutchinson?

Linda was like a sec-ond mom and she treat-ed every Model student as if they were her own.

-Dana Siegel,senior

LINDA: scholarship

Junior Arianna Quan continues success in state piano competition

Arianna Quan practices her piano skills in the music room.

Superintendent diagnosed with prostate cancer

MADELINE MCILHON/shield

Current principal of model, Bill Boyle, shares his sentiment toward Taylor’s initiative. He says, “Linda was more than just a secretary, she got to know each and every student and came to care for them in many ways.” Boyle adds, “Kyle came to me with a proposal. I appreciate his willingness to take the time to represent Linda.” Senior Alex Thompson shares a story about H u t c h i n s o n that reflects the importance she always associated with education, “When I told her that I got into my first choice of college, she told me a story about her son. [She described how] she and her husband didn’t grow up with a lot of money. With almost all of the money she made, she focused on sending her children to college. Her son got into MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), a

really big accomplishment.” In sharing his perceptions about this scholarship, Thompson observes that, “It is what Linda would have wanted.”

Another Model student, senior Michael Smith is a strong supporter of Taylor’s proposal, suggesting that, “I think the scholarship is a really cool idea. I knew Linda through her job at Model. She was the backbone of Model. Over that time, we became really close. She was so friendly, and cared so much about every student. Every student, including myself, had a special relationship with her.” Smith continues,

“This scholarship is a way to honor her because she really represented what Model is about – the passion for learning and caring about people. She represented Model so this [scholarship] is a great way to honor her.”

The late Model High School secretary, Linda Hutchinson, is remembered fondly by both students and collegues for her warm and caring heart.

This scholarship is a way to honor her because she really represented what Model is about – the passion for learning and caring about people. Michael Smith senior

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Holmes’ Marvelous Mystery

Sara Smolerlife page editor

Combine humor, suspense, a neurotic detective, and Robert Downey Jr., and the result is the perfect formula for a fabulous family movie. The first Sherlock Holmes movie was originally released in 1939, and remade seventy years later this past December. The new version is now in theatres, and the classic character of Sherlock Holmes helps to provide the audience with comic relief while using his knowledge to solve crimes in the early 20th century. The new movie re-establishes Holmes character to be a cinematic hero worth knowing and watching. For the first time in a long time, the character of Sherlock Holmes is bound to become a household name for this generation’s youth. Arthur Connan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes was originally a children’s book series, consisting of four novels and 56 short stories published in the early 1920s. Now, the stories have come to life on the big screen with Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes. Watching Robert Downey Jr. sink his teeth into the role of a brainy, slightly neurotic Sherlock Holmes is worth the trip to the movie theatre. The clever and witty sleuth story appeals to people of all ages. This movie, Sherlock Holmes, contains an original story line including many special affects, and Guy Richie’s directing is immaculate. His directing sets the tone and mood for the story, with dark and choppy scenes, that match the quick and fast-paced plot. The central plot of the movie revolves around catching the British serial killer and dark magician, Lord Blackwood, played by Mark Strong. Once Lord Blackwell mysteriously returns from the grave, he resumes a killing spree throughout town. As a d e t e c t i v e , H o l m e s must unravel the clues throughout the movie that will u l t i m a t e l y guide him through the very complex chain of murder, as well as black magic. Within the movie there is action, s u s p e n s e , thrill, and much humor that keep the audience engaged through its 128 minute runtime. Jude Law nailed his role in the film as Downey’s lawful sidekick, Dr. Watson. Additionally, Canadian actress Rachel McAdams gave a good performance as her role as Irene Adler, the seductive temptress. Be prepared for the several action scenes which while engaging at first, become old and feel like there is a fight scene every ten minutes or so. It would have held more of an interest with me, if there was more dialogue, less battle, and more opportunities for Downey Jr., to bring the charming Holmes to life. Recently, Robert Downey Jr.’s acting in his role as Sherlock Holmes has been nominated for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture. According to the Hollywoodinsider.com, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes has already proven to be a great success, already grossing $24.9 million. The movie is rated PG-13, for the occasional violent fight scenes and few words of profanity used. Overall, I would recommend this movie to anyone, and give it a four out of five star rating. I highly recommend that anybody who has not seen this goes to see it!

The Sweetheart Dance. A good day for men. A break from the pressure, a chance to stop stressing, sit back and let the girls do the work. Most importantly is the role reversal that Sadie’s offers. Boys experience what the woman feel when waiting to be asked and it is awesome. There is no threat of a turndown, no chance of embarrassment, and no stress of popping the question. Instead, the pressure to impress the recipent of the question with style is projected onto the ladies. Unexpected nerves, butterflies in the stomach, and rejection on the mind is commonplace for men. However for this one event, the woman go through the experience. Hopefully this lesson will allow for the girls to empathize with men in the future. Sadie’s is also a time when guys can dress semi- casually. On the contrary, during homecoming men are forced to wear a shirt, tie, and a sports coat, the ultimate in discomfort. At the sweetheart dance, it is commonly accepted to dress informally. Jeans and a tee-shirt, although a stretch, are almost as accepted as a sweater and slacks. Let’s be honest, who wants to be in the excruciating heat of the gym wearing clothes suited for a job interview? Additionally, casual clothing is less expensive and more exciting to purchase. People unwilling to empty their pockets on clothing are able to do so without being criticized. Lastly, Sadies is fantastic because of the balance that it provides financially to the opposite sexes. Since the girls pay (usually), they receive the pleasure of the planning. The men are off the hook as far as handling all the arrangements; from the method of transportation--be it limo, bus, or car, all the way to dinner reservations. In the end all the guys have to do is get some comfy clothes, buy a nice bouquet of flowers, and enjoy the dance. Sadie’s is more romantic, because Valentines Day precedes it. Love is in the air!

Sadies, the traditionally casual dance serves as a turnabout chance for girls

The excitement of homecoming dance starts off the year the right way

Sam Gordonstaff writer

Nikki Kiesterstaff writer

The year is almost over; only one more semester. You’ve already put in a lot of effort for first semester. It is time to party and take it easy, right? Wrong. Students of Andover, power up, because you are nowhere near done. Before the urge to throw your books aside, plop down on the couch, and watch the Jersey Shore marathon, take into account the aftermath of the decision to watch fist-pumping Italians instead of studying. That math test that’s been on your mind for a couple of days has now become more apparent than ever; it’s only a day away. But really, what will one bad grade do to your GPA? I know what you’re thinking… it won’t be that big of a deal. Once again, wrong. After that one bad grade, more start to pile up. Before you know it, you’re in over

your head. Your high school career is headed down the tubes. You get kicked out of your clubs and athletics due to your catastrophic GPA. You are rejected from your dream schools and your hope of becoming a successful engineer goes down the drain, because now you don’t even have the qualifications necessary to flip burgers at Burger King, so you take on the Sunday newspaper route of the kid down the street who broke his arm. And your desire of finding that special someone to spend the rest of your life with is now hopeless because you are now a loser who lives in the basement of your parents’ house at thirty years old. Now that doesn’t sound like a future to look forward to. And it is all because you slacked off during second semester. Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating. But second semester can’t be a blow off. The pressures of my parents, college, and myself keep me going. Along with

Making second semester count

Emma Riedsmalife page editor

-Keep your student teacher relationships

-Get involved with fun activi-ties, such as Sa-dies, water wars and Prom.

-Colleges will be looking at your first and sec-ond semester grades so keep your grades up

Robert Downey Jr. adds wit and charisma to Holmes’ character

pressure, I find that a few simple tricks get me through second semester shock. I find second semester motivation through buying brand new school supplies. There is nothing like the rubber smell of unmarked pencil erasers and the fresh flipping pages of spanking new notebooks. I set goals and make schedules for myself.

First on my to-do list is always a snack, followed by two hours of homework, a quick hour nap, another hour of homework, and finally, my fun time. Keep that student teacher relationship strong. You are bound to have the some of the same classes you had first semester with some of the same teachers for second semester. Since you’ve already gotten to know them in the first part of the year, do not make them hate you in the second half. Sucking up wouldn’t hurt. Instead of just waiting for college to come, get involved. Fight in senior water wars, dance the night away at Sadies and

Prom, and go to the senior party. It’s the last chance you got to make some memories. And before you know it, you’ll be tossing your cap, along with rest of your childhood, up in the air at graduation.

A how-to guide of making your last semester in high school worthwhile

Battle of

It’s September. School just started. New classes, new friends, new year. Another event to add to the excitement is Homecoming. Later during the freezing winter, students take part in the Sadie Hawkins’ Dance, where the girls ask the guys to be dates. Homecoming is better than Sadies. Period. Almost the entire school looks forward to Homecoming. It’s one of the few school organized events that the majority of student body takes part in. A week before the date of the dance, the entire school has Spirit week; some teachers even give extra credit to those who participate. The Homecoming football game and pep rally are other activities faculty and our peers have fun together at. Girls around Homecoming anticipate the possibilities of who is going to ask who, which is all part of the fun; many of us expect an original, cute idea when being asked. Some students choose to go stag, by themselves, or go with a group of friends. But regardless, the pressure is off of us. Homecoming is traditionally more formal than Sadies. The dresses are typically classier and suits are the main attire for men. Spending hours raiding racks for the perfect dress with friends or parents is part of the fun. On the other hand, Sadies is more casual and not many students take it seriously. Homecoming is more organized, thought out, and prepared for. Whether you’re in a small or big group, with or without a date, if you’re attending Homecoming you’re bound to have a good time. Sadies is too casual, students have been known to show up in a sweater and Nikes, yet, it’s acceptable. The student count for Homecoming and Sadies are completely different; far few students go to Sadies. Either they don’t want to pay for themselves or their date, or maybe last Homecoming blew Sadies out of the water! Sadies seems to be a quick

stop before heading to an afterparty while at Homecoming there are students who stay until the last song is played. So really, when you look at all aspects,

Homecoming beats Sadies any day.

Dances

After that one bad grade, more start to pile up. Before you know it, you’re in over your head. Your high school career is headed down the tubes.

Watching Robert Downey Jr. sink his teeth into the role of a brainy, slightly neurotic Sherlock Holmes is worth the trip to the movie theater.

the

Ways to make second

semester count

life B5

AVATAR: one of 2009’s best

Avatarisacompletelyimmersiveandthoroughlyexcitingexperience.

Avatar Facts-OpenedDecember18

-PG-13

-160minuteslong

-Nominatedforover30awards

-WonaGoldenGlobeforBestMotionPicture(Drama)

-40%liveactionand60%CGI

-DirectorJamesCam-eronwonaGoldenGlobeforBestDirector(MotionPicture)

-Oneofthemostexpensivemoviesevermade

Cutting-edge smartphone is entertaining and efficient

Droid ready to take on iPhone

Derek Wolfestaff writer

For the past three years, the Apple iPhone was simply unbeatable. With a user friendly interface and graphics previously unseen, the iPhone was the best smart phone available when it debuted in 2007. Three months ago, however, the iPhone may have met its match with the Motorola Droid, which has revolutionized the smartphone. The Motorola Droid runs on Google’s Android operating system. Although relatively new technology, it has quickly proven to run extremely smoothly with very few glitches. The Droid’s 3.7-inch touch screen is perfectly sensitive and the resolution makes text read like real print. This is undeniably Verizon’s best touch screen. Especially when compared to older phones such as the Voyager, which requires an alarming amount of force to use. Typing on touchscreens can be challenging with the characters being close together, but the Droid has the answer. Droid has provided a slide-out keyboard that works great and gives a nice balance between touch screen and real keys. Most applications can be used on the keyboard, which is a feature I particularly enjoy. However, the keys are a little crowded. Also, the phone is pretty heavy. At six ounces, (the iPhone is four), holding the phone up to your ear can get uncomfortable after a long conversation. The Droid has a groundbreaking five megapixel camera (compared to iPhone’s three), which seems great, however, it takes forever for the pictures to be taken and many come out blurry. The Droid, for lack of better words, is a

Jabero fights for country

David Rohrstaff writer

Interpreter risks life to serve the United States

“They shoot at us, we shoot at them. You get scared because you don’t know where the bullets are flying...but we get behind our Humvees [military trucks] and we shoot back.” Men and women have traveled overseas for their work and come back with new and exciting stories from their exploits, but few of their tales are like Steve Jabero’s, father of Andover sophomore Chris Jabero. “Sometimes we get ambushed, we get attacked, we get shot at, we get snipers. A sniper shot a buddy of mine. A lot of them [Iraqi insurgents] go into these abandoned homes where they hide. Then we go searching for them,” says Jabero. Steve Jabero’s story does not begin on the battlefield, but rather at home. “I am a native Iraqi, but I am an American citizen,” Jabero continues. “I am the father of three children: two boys and a girl. I have been here approximately 40 years as a faithful citizen to this country. In 2003 I volunteered to go work for the U.S. Army. I was an advisor and an interpreter, we do both at the same time, and we started giving some training classes to the personnel in Kuwait about the [Iraqi] culture.” The classes were educational courses on the culture and traditions of the Middle East. As a native Iraqi, Jabero is able to teach the officers the way of life in the Middle East. After training highly ranked officers such as colonels and generals, Jabero moved into Baghdad with a convoy of more than 200 tactical vehicles, which is where he is currently stationed. “I was the only cultural advisor among 220 officers- a complete brigade,” Jabero says. This means that every officer goes to Jabero for advice on the cultural and social impacts of their decisions. Jabero also gives speeches to the Iraqi people, serving as someone they can trust. Speaking three different languages and 13 different dialects, Jabero has been able to make strong connections in the hostile region. Despite efforts by Jabero and the United States Armed Forces, he knows he is in constant danger. One night, a car bomb exploded causing Jabero’s cot, in a concrete building half of a mile away, to rise up off of the floor about half of a foot. “[Going to Iraq] was a hard decision to make, but it was something I had to do for the safety of my family. Someone has to do it,” says Jabero. But someone is always left behind. For Steve Jabero, it is his wife and three children. Chris has not had his father home consistantly since 2002, when the war in Iraq began. “I was in second or third grade, my memory’s a little hazy, and [my father’s deployment] was a really hard thing because I was just a little kid,” continues Chris. He remembers only a collage of emotions such as anger and sadness, from the first year his father was overseas. However, one emotion remains constant throughout his father’s time in Iraq: fear. “When my dad goes away, I’m still terrified,” Chris says. Every day Jabero is gone, he is risking his life to help the US as well as Iraq. The thought of him not coming home is tough, especially because he has such close ties to his family. “I think about my family every mission and every bomb I receive. Every rocket we get…I don’t know if I’m coming home,” says Jabero. For the past eight years, Chris has not only had to grow up with his father halfway across the world, but he has also had to be a positive influence on his younger brother and sister. As the eldest, he is responsible for setting a good example, which is a task Chris has not taken lightly. “[My siblings and I] still do everything [our parents] tell us to do: get good grades, stay in shape,” says Chris. He has been striving to be the best student, son, and brother he can be while his father is gone. Jabero is currently in Iraq. He left on Sunday, October 25. Fortunately, communications in Baghdad have improved, allowing Jabero and his family occasional emails and even phone calls. While Steve brings his strength and patriotism to the Middle East, Chris carries with him an equal strength. The heart and courage it takes for Steve Jabero to volunteer to help the army is matched to the strength it takes for his family to persevere and succeed without him.

The completely computer-generated (CGI) tribes of Na’vi aren’t blue rubber dolls but living, breathing creatures with realistically textured skin, beautifully realized eyes and facial expressions. It’s astounding to see the seamless integration between technology and performance. It’s not just the aliens of Avatar that merit mention. The entire planet “Pandora” that Cameron creates is an original, inventive and awe-inspiring. Everything is thought out, from the luminescient plants that light up when touched to the six-legged creatures that populate it. About 60 percent of the film is computer generated, but none of it looks so. It’s probably the closest thing any of us well ever get to visiting another planet The well-worn tale works because it’s an excellent story (which explains why it’s been told time and time again) with believable characters. As the native princess Netiryi, Zoë Saldana (“Star Trek”, “Drumline”) provides one of the best performances of the year, teaching Jake the Na’vi ways and later falling in love with him. She is incredibally emotive and convincingly speaks the fictional Na’vi language, and manages to make lines that in lesser hands would be cheesy, sound serious and decidedly un-campy. She isn’t the only cast member who

shines. The always reliable Giovanni Ribisi (“Saving Private Ryan”) is stellar as an unfeeling corporate shark, as is Sigourney Weaver (“Alien”, “Ghostbusters”) as a headstrong scientist. Worthington is admirable as Jake, playing him steadfast and level headed. In no way is it a dynamic performance but it doesn’t need to be. Stephen Lang (“Public Enemies”) has a star-making turn as Col. Miles Quaritch, the films antagonist. He’s brutal, menacing and chews scenery as needed. Even with such a solid ensemble, the movie still belongs to James Cameron who provides plenty of heart-thumping action, especially in the final climactic battle between the Na’vi and the humans. The final action sequence is one of the most exhilirating experiences I have ever had, a true master-class in how to build tension while still remaining fun to watch. Cameron also deserves kudos for managing to make the audience essentially cheer for the future doom of their own race, by making the viewer absorb Na’vi culture and feel like one of them. Despite the positives, finding flaws isn’t hard. The story is somewhat predictable. There were a couple times where the dialogue seemed stale and corny, however

much of those lines are uttered in the native Na’vi language, which excuses them somewhat. Some people may be turned off by multiple allusions and morals concerning the environment, Vietnam, the war in Iraq and the persecution of Native

Americans back in the days of Manifest Destiny. However for every person these heavy-handed messages irk, there’s bound to be someone like me who enjoys the parallels. Nitpicking aside, the film easily overcomes any slight imperfections. In

terms of predictability Cameron isn’t trying to surprise anyone with this story. This isn’t “The Matrix”, his goal isn’t to mystify the viewer with a complex and uncomprehensable story. He’s trying to inspire wonder. And he does. The action snaps, the sound crackles and the visuals pop. Avatar is a completely immersive, emotional and thouroughly exciting experience. It’s a film that must be seen in theatres, preferably IMAX 3D. With its mix of phenomenal effects and heartfelt storyline it easily establishes itself as one of the very best films of the year, decade, and perhaps all of film history.

fromB1

mobile computer. Keeping that in mind, it’s not a phone for everyone. Having technological knowledge is key to using the phone to its full potential. The settings are not as basic as the traditional flip phone and can be frustrating if you are

not tech savvy. Learning how to use the phone, which isn’t difficult, can make it incredibly useful. What I love about the phone is that there is never a moment where information isn’t instantly at my fingertips. I can respond

to emails immediately in a society where there is no patience. Hundreds of games, developed by users themselves, ranging from casino to sports, are available to entertain me for hours. Always being able to stay up to date socially with Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace is a major plus. Multi-tasking is the Droid’s claim to fame. It allows users to go on the Internet while

talking on the phone, for instance. This can be really useful because information can be looked up while conversation is still occurring. For the ultimate experience, use a Blue Tooth headset at the same time. Although wonderful concept, multitasking eats up the cell phone’s battery rapidly, so be sure to have a charger nearby. The Droid offers the best cell service there is to offer. Rarely is there a dropped call, which has plagued AT&T and the iPhone users since their inception; up to 30% of calls are dropped in densely populated areas. The Droid costs about $30 a month for the internet and data services. iPhone costs its users about $70 a month. The Droid really is one of the best phones on the market. With instant knowledge, multi-tasking, and the best cellular network, what’s not to like? So if your contract is going to expire soon, look into the Droid. “Because in a world of doesn’t, Droid does.”

JOSHLONEY/shield

Loney Toons

TheDroid,forlackofbetterswords,isamobilecomputer

What Droid Does

-Verizon’sbesttouchscreenphone

-RunsGoogle’sAndroidOS

-Fivemegapixelcamera

-Thousandsofapps,manyfree

- 3Ginternet

-Fullslide-outkeyboard

-DVDqualityvideocapture

Jake Silbert (11) browses the internet on his Motorola Droid, a direct competitor with Apple’s iPhone.

for the first time

jab iTaking off her

Sabah Moghul (11) recently made the personal decision to take off her hijab.

B6 life

“My hijab is part of who I am,” says Rawann Al-Hadidi. “People recog-nize you for you are on the inside; people will talk to you for who you are. Islam emphasizes that women should dress modestly in public.” Not since the first day of seventh grade has she gone into the public without wearing a hijab and she never foresees a day where she won’t wear it. “I wear a two-piece hijab. This is the easier type to put on,” says Rawaan. Rawaan feels that nobody really cares if women decide to not wear hijabs as it is their choice as a Muslim woman. How-ever, she admits that there are coun-tries where rules are more strict and women do not have as much freedom to decide if they want to wear a hijab.

Six Steps for Putting on a Hijab

Senior Bayan Founas chose to start wear-ing a hijab when she was in sixth grade. Although her mother encouraged her to wear a hijab, it was not forced upon her. Religion is a big part of Founas’s life. She follows Muslim tradition as often as possible by praying towards the direc-tion of Mecca (northeast) five times a day. Founas says Andover has been a great place for her. People have been very accepting of her and her religion. “I feel more comfortable because there are other Muslim girls in this school who also wear hijabs,” Founas explains. “I think it is a really good school to get along with others, even if you have a dif-ferent religion or different background.” Although she knows not everyone will be as accepting of her in the fu-ture as the students at Andover have been, Founas will always wear her hijab. “It’s just part of my religion. It’s who I am.”

“I started wearing my hijab in third grade to school, but did not where it else-ware. When I was in sixth grade, I started wearing it full-time,” says Hiba Chaabi. Hiba wears her hijab proudly as it allows her to express her faith, which is a big part of her idenity. Hiba used to live in Indiana before com-ing to Andover. While there she did not experience any problems with her hijab. “There was little diversity in In-diana, but they were accepting. They just asked a lot of questions.” Hiba emphasizes that her decision to wear a hijab is not forced upon her by the Muslim community, however she feels she could never see herself de-ciding not to wear her hijab in public. For her, the hijab does not take up much time, requiring only 30 sec-onds to put on in the morning.

Their Turn:Experiences Wearing a Hijab

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In her classroom, heads turn and stare. “When I was walking in, there were definitely butterflies in my stomach. I had no idea what my friends and teachers were going to think or say. My friends had never seen me with my scarf off before, but after first hour, I just felt like nothing had changed,” explains junior Sabah Moghul, who after after 5 years of wearing a hijab, unwrapped her head scarf .   “I put it [the hijab] on at such a young age, but for the wrong reasons,” she explains. “I put it on because I wanted to fit in with the Muslim community. A lot of Muslim girls don’t take off their scarf because they are afraid of what their religious community is going to say. But I wanted to take off my scarf because I felt like I wore it for the wrong reasons and because I did not understand the full extent of what wearing a scarf entailed.” Moghul explains that wearing a hijab represents modesty in the Muslim religion. “What really pushed me to the limit when wearing my scarf was when I was preparing to get ready for my cousin’s summer wedding. I had such a tough time trying to find cultural clothing that fit the guidelines

of my scarf. When wearing a scarf you have to be covered fully, meaning I had to find long sleeves, which was nearly impossible.” Moghul adds that family pressure was not an issue for her. “My mother does not wear a scarf, because she is Pakistani. Most Pakistani women do not have to wear a scarf, just dress modestly,” describes Moghul. “I was not surprised when she took off her scarf because Sabah was putting it on for the wrong reasons,” says Tasleem

Moghul, Sabah’s mother. “My husband and I were in complete support of her decision and we are happy that she is happy.” In addition to her parents being supportive, junior Allison Margolis thinks Sabah is more confident without her scarf. “I am really happy for her. She made a big decision on her own. I was surprised when she took it off, because

she looked so different at first, but now it is just the same old Sabah.” Sabah believes that not wearing a scarf hasn’t taken away from her Muslim religion. “I needed to take a step back to become more religious,” says Sabah. “I feel like putting on scarf for a lot of girls is becoming more religious for them in their own way on their own path. But on my path it didn’t flow. I think when I am a better Muslim, maybe I will put it on as I become more of an adult. Daily life has changed for me, but for the better.”

After five years, junior Sabah Moghul decides to let her hair downPamela Penslernews page editor

MADELINE MCILHON/shield

I put it [the hijab] on at such a young age, but for the wrong reasons.

Sabah Moghuljunior

Text by James Feuereisen and Rachel Rohr

Bayan Founassenior

Hiba Chaabisophomore

Rawann Al-Hadidisenior

-Traditionally worn by Muslim women

-Arabic word meaning “curtain” or “cover”

-Hijabs have been given the meaning of modesty, privacy, and morality

-Some women are forced to wear hijabs in countries such as Iran

-Some countries ban the wearing of hijabs in governmental buildings and schools, such as Turkey and Tunisia

-Muslims debate how much of the male or female body should be covered

Hijab Facts

Put on an underpiece (headband)

so hair stays in place and

hijab isn’t see-through

Fold square-shaped

scarf in half to make a

triangle, and then place

middle of scarf over

head and pull sides down so the two corners of

the base are together

Pin the parts of

the scarf together

around head near neck

Start to wrap ends of scarf around neck

Continue to wrap scarf

around to top of head and pin to other part of the

scarf

Make sure no flyaway

hairs are peeking out

ten dollar fee. Since the original program, the BFS ideas have been impacting Ando-ver athletes of all types. Football Coach Jim Dewald took charge of the winter weight training in the new style of BFS. “In the original program, we brought the actual company, Bigger Faster Stronger, out here to An-dover to help us implement their workout plan. Now in winter conditioning, we’ve been implementing it our-selves, ever since they left in November. The program is open to anyone; male or female, whether they play sports or don’t play sports, it doesn’t matter. We are just there to help everyone achieve a better level of fitness,” Dewald says. “I felt that not many people used the weight room after school and the people didn’t have any direction to where they were going,” Dewald explains. “This is a way to give all these kids direction and make it a lot easier to have forty kids in

sports

Thanks to the Bigger Faster Stronger program, over 40 athletes and students each day are working hard to become bigger, faster and stronger. “Bigger Faster Stronger gives you an idea of how to get stronger. It’s set amounts of weights and repititions because it focuses on what and how you want to get stron-ger.” says sophomore Trammel Austin, who attends the workouts in order to im-prove his wrestling career. In 2009, athletic training company, Big-ger Faster Stronger (BFS), came to Ando-ver charging each participating student a

C2

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Andover’s new winter conditioning program takes unique approach to working outAshley DuBoisstaff writer

pproaching her finish on her last length of the race, varsity swimmer junior Jayme Groth is overcome with emotions,

realizing her season’s goal had been met. Voted “Swimmer of the Meet” and “All-State Swimmer,” Groth won first in both the 50- and 100 yard freestyle and broke two school records dating back to the 1980’s. “Toward the end of the race I got that feeling where I just knew,” says Groth. “Looking up and seeing my time and the first place next to my name was so exciting. It was unbelievable.” Not only was this an important moment for Groth who is now on four different Top Ten lists for the Andover team (she has two of the ten fastest times in school history) but also for her coach of ten years, David Zulkiewski. “Jayme’s 50 free was one of the most stressful races I’ve ever watched. She was the last person off the blocks at the start, and in an event like the 50 that usually means you aren’t going to win,” explains Zulkiewski. “She had an amazing turn and won the race with that turn. We had the school record down as a goal all year so it was great when she won.” According to Zulkiewski, Jayme’s times in the 50 and 100 are currently 47th and 50th, respectively, in the country. The top 130 times in the country earn All American Honors. “Before the season started I knew I wanted to reclaim my title of state champion from my freshman year. I set my goals particularly high with the help of my coach who knew I could do it. Becoming a state champion again along with varsity records were the number one items on my list of goals,” says Groth. “It feels absolutely indescribable to be so successful. It never really hit me until I was in the van on the way home from the meet. I had done what I came to do, but being at the pool was a completely different world to me. It was as if it was official when I was driving home. It’s amazing how much you can do when you’re that determined. I felt pretty invincible that day.” While Groth’s accomplishments are exceptional on an individual level, they also impact the team’s success.

BFS facts-Bigger, Faster, Stronger was founded in 1976 by Greg Shepard

-About 40 An-dover students attend the condi-tioning sessions every weekday

-Students condition both before and after school

Tiger Woods epitomizes the fall of American sports

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Tiger’s true colors have finally been re-vealed. And they have such a repulsive hue that he has decided to step away from the game indefinitely. (It has got to hurt to fall from the land of gods to struggling even to maintain a mortal status.) The first decade of what was an uncon-taminated millennium has encompassed numerable exploitations of immorality and in turn Tiger’s behavior has come as not only unsurprising, but expected. This past decade in sports can be characterized by a feeling of disconnection and the loss of initiative in the public sports sphere. From the 89 players who were reported by the Mitchell Report to have taken per-forming enhancing drugs, marring the reputation of America’s favorite pastime, to NBA referee Tim Donaghy betting on games that he refereed in the NBA, sports figures in America seem to not have the same pride in doing the right thing any-more. And even once flaws are revealed, and proof is discovered, the mantra of sports stars is deny, deny, deny. Then change

your story and deny, deny, deny a little bit more. And then if a smok-ing gun is found, throw your hands in the air and pretend you didn’t know what was go-ing on. We had Alex R o d r i g u e z

claiming that his cousin is at fault for inject-ing him with steroids, and Roger Clemens saying that he only did what his trainer told him to. We had Michael Vick blaming the culture for his dog fighting ring and Danny Almonte blaming his father for his team’s disqualification in the little league world series(ok, his father may have been to blame for forging a birth certificate). But Tiger Woods, he was different. Not only had he never denied any wrong do-ings, but he was never even accused of anything. He could not have been cleaner. He symbolized what American sports used to be. Now he has fallen down to what American sports have become, a lying and cheating individual who holds no purer morals than others, but was simply better at concealing it. A great symbol, Tiger was the golden statue America could put on their shoul-ders and speak of proudly. Winning almost 30 percent of the tournaments he entered during this decade, funding charity foun-dations such as the Tiger Woods Learn-ing Center and the Rainforest Foundation Fund, as well as rejuvenating the sport of golf, Tiger Woods was the epitome of a sports star. He was our modern day Achil-les. He was a champion like nobody had ever seen the likes of. Golf was one of the last sports where America still ruled. Over just this last decade America did not even make it to the gold medal game of basketball at the Olympics (2004), we lost at the World Baseball Classic twice, to the Japanese (America’s so called Greatest Pastime), and hell, we haven’t had a United States male tennis player win the U.S. Open since 2003 and no United States player has won a major since then. American sports have truly taken a turn toward the worst. And now Woods has done the same. And it was probably because of this squeaky clean image, that his fall shocked so many people. I blame the country for that. Honestly, we didn’t find his flaws be-cause we did not want to. We loved what we saw. Tiger can be seen as a defining character in the last decade of sports. So thank you Tiger Woods for ending our decade so accordingly. You have finally mirrored the rest of your American sports counterparts. Hopefully our next decade can be one that we will want to remember for Tiger, and American sports.

Committing to conditioning

Jayme Groth: Andover’s All-State Swimmer

there on track than forty kids who are all disorganized.” Thus, the BFS program was brought to Andover.

According to Dewald, ap-proximately forty students on average pack the weight room every week day af-ter school from 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and

at 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thurs-day. In order to fit the time schedules of current ath-letes, Dewald has before

school sessions at 6:00 a.m. for those dedi-cated athletes. “Since BFS has a set workout schedule, it has gotten me into the habit of working out every day. Because of that, I can get in shape faster and more effi-ciently,” says Andover sophomore, Truman Lorick.

Jake Gordonco-editor in chief

American sports not on par

Dr. Moeller is U.S.Chief Medical Officer at

2010 Olympics

CHAMPION

>C2see BFS

see GROTH

>C2

Groth reclaims title as state champion in addition to breaking two school records

The purpose of Bigger Faster Stronger is to unify all the athletes togetherJim DewaldP.E. Teacher

NANCY GROTH/guest photographer

Looking to the scoreboard, Groth sees that she has won first place in the 50 free. Her time is currently 47th in the country.

It has got to hurt to fall from the land of gods to struggling even to maintain a mortal status.

Matt Luckoff sports page editorEmily Langnas sports page editor

sportsC2

An innovative approach to exercise, Zumba is all the rage in 2010

Zumba: Go from out of breath to into shape

Jared Bratley staff writer

The same physician that tends to many of the athletes at Andover will be responsible for providing the medical care to the 2010 US Olym-pic team in Vancouver this February. Dr. James Moeller, the recommended sports medicine physician for Ando-ver, has has been named United States Olympic Committee Chief Medical Of-ficer for the 2010 Olympics in Vancou-ver. This position is in charge of head-ing the United States medical staff, comprised of some of the United States’ preeminent physicians, athletic trainers, chiropractors, and message therapists. “Dr. Moeller has been a sports medicine physician for our teams since I walked in, and I came in here about nine years ago,” says Shira Schiff, Andover’s athletic trainer. “I send a kid to a doctor if I need to rule out any complications. I send athletes to Dr. Moeller specifically because he is our team physician and we just hap-pen to have one of the most incredible physicians in our backyard.” Primar-ily responsible for the overall health conditions of the Olympic athletes, Dr. Moeller and the US medical staff will be in charge of setting up and provid-ing the US medical care, equipment and medication while also administering aid before, after and during competition. “As we take our team into Vancouver we will have approximately 215 athletes and

about 60 support staff,” Moeller says. “I am in charge of setting up the medical care for the entire group that goes and that is everything from making sure that we have the appropriate equipment and medications available, to making sure that the people there to provide the care are doing an ap-propriate job. I am also the official spokes-person for the United States team for any medical problems that occur for the United States over the course of the Olympics.” Similarly to the athletes participating in the Vancou-ver Olympic Games, Dr. Moeller’s position requires intensive preparation and training. Moeller is planning to be in Vancouver for about a month; this time frame in-cludes both preparation time and the actual competition at which time his preparation and training will be displayed. “The specific roll that I am in requires a significant amount of pregame preparations. When the games begin I will have been there for a time before, but I will be leav-ing pretty soon after they conclude. We’re talking about major international competi-tions and sometimes very popular athletes. I have to be able to keep my cool and do the right thing regardless of what out-side pressures may be,” Moeller explains. The winter games in Vancouver will mark the third time that Moeller as participated as a physician in the Olympics. However as

Lauren Lewis sports page editor

the USOC Chief Medical Officer in Vancou-ver, Moeller has a much larger responsibil-ity than he had in Torino and Salt Lake City. “I volunteered to the USOC many years ago and have worked my way through the ranks of different medical posi-tions. Eventually they nominated me to be the head physician. This will be my third games, it will be my second as a US team physician, the first time I was a physician for the host city,” says Moeller.

While at the Olympics Moeller will be working with some of the best athletes in the world, Moeller explains, “We learn a lot through the elite level athletes with regards to what treatments work and don’t work and what works quickly and what doesn’t, so we bring that knowl-edge back to our private practices and use it for the high school class athletes that we see. The experience will allow me to provide

elite level care to our athletes at all levels.” Moeller feels that his experiences with high school class athletes help him prepare for the rigors work with Olympic and elite level athletes. Moeller states “it keeps me work-ing with people who are very intense and well trained and people who really find that sports are an important part of what they do and that keeps me sharp for when I get these opportunities.”

Only eighteen more minutes to go, I told myself. Truth be told, I was on the elliptical at Powerhouse for the fourth day in a row, and those last eighteen minutes seemed like an eternity. Huffing and puffing as my workout ses-sion culminated, I began to ponder ways to exercise everyday without having to en-dure the monotony of the basic “gym work-out,” and a thought struck my mind. Earlier that day, while conversing at the lunch table with five of my closest friends, I remember Sara Smoler telling me about a Zumba class in which she is enrolled. She described to me how she this innova-tive class allows her to get into shape while enjoying herself. She expressed to me how it was one of the only “escapes” she has during her stressful school week. After school that day, I did some research for myself. I found that Zumba is a series of Latin dance rhythms that feature interval train-ing sessions. Fast and slow rhythms are combined to create a calorie burning work-out. I liked what I read, and decided to give Zumba a shot, as I was desperately in need of shaking up my routine. The following Saturday, upon entering Equilibrium Studio, I was immediately intimidated by the older crowd of women I was to be dancing with. Tanned, toned, and taut, the majority of the class was com-posed of 30-year-old women, and I was the odd girl out. This notion was quickly forgotten as soon as the funky Latin music began to blare. Hips moving, heart pumping fast, as the class progressed, surprisingly, my energy only continued to soar. I didn’t even real-ize an hour had gone by when the slower music came on and the cool-down com-menced. Walking out of the class sweating and tired, yet feeling fit and energized, I real-ized that I had found a new way to get the workout I needed. Considering the funky Latin music is still replaying in my head, I’m sure I’ll be back for more next week.

a.m. to practice or why we hop on a bus for an hour to travel to a meet. The long days and tough practices are what makes our kids better athletes and people.” But this year is only the begin-ning of her swimming career. “Jayme is by far the most successful ath-lete I have ever coached in my ten year career,” says Zulkiewski. “She has tre-mendous potential and continues to get stronger in all areas of her swimming ca-reer. She is a great sprinter, but this year she won the 200 free at our league meet and broke the league record. This shows how talented she truly is. After high school she is definitely a college bound athlete.” As Zulkiewski says, Groth has tremen-dous potential to continue her swim-ming career after the high school level. “I want to make the All-American cut for the 100 free,” says Growth. “I re-ally want to swim for Emory, College of Charleston, or anywhere down south be-cause I really hate the winter weather.”

From high school halls

prised that in such a short time, I was able to improve so much,” says Austin. Along with the student’s personal suc-cess stories, the athletic clinicians who came to Andover with BFS felt a strong sense of potential with Dewald and the athletes, even within the first few minutes. “It was a great honor for me to be involved with Andover, the athletes and coaches that attend the clinic were extremely focused and very passionate about the increasing overall success at Andover, in regards to academics and athletics,” says John Robo-tham, a clinician from the BFS company. And according to Robotham, De-wald was the best man for the job of continuing this program. “Jim Dewald was very motivated. I could tell the moment I met him, that he is tru-ly dedicated to helping kids reach their potential in every aspect of their lives.” With hard work, dedication and encouragement, winter condition-ing at Andover High School is giv-ing students a new chance to get fit. “Commitment - You’re either in or you’re out. There is no such thing as life in be-tween,” says the BFS slogan, and now the new slogan of the Andover weight room.

from C1

BFS: Conditioning

from C1

GROTH: Swimming

to Olympic

championships

-Moeller is the USOC Chief Medical Officer in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics

-In Vancouver, the American team will have approximately 215 athletes and about 60 sup-port staff

-Moeller has worked for the USOC before, and has worked his way through the ranks of different medi-cal positions

We learn a lot through elite level athletes with regards to what treatments work and don’t workDr. Moellersport physician

Fast Facts

We want great things for you. udmercy.edu/great

14:1Student-faculty ratio:

Odds you’ll get noticed: 100%

Saturday, February 13, 9 a.m. to noonStudent Center, McNichols CampusOpen House

“Jayme’s great success has motivated my teammates and me to strive for the best and work hard towards our goals,” says sophomore Alyssa Gianetti. “She’s an unbelievable asset to the team and I don’t know where we would be without her.” However, fulfilliing her goals with these achievements was no easy feat. “Training is a cycle. First I swim for the school, then I swim on a club team, and during the summer I am part of two different teams,” says Groth. “On average I swim five days a week for two and a half hours each day.” Zulkiewski agrees that hard work is the key to the team’s success. “Other than handshakes and well wishes from fellow coaches and parents, I have not received any other recognition,” he says. “But that’s not why we get up at 4:30

To keep tabs on progress, participants fill out cards consisting of their daily workout and reps, showing improvement over time, which they store in the weight room’s fil-ing cabinet. “The cards really help us track where we are. Instead of just going in the weight room and not knowing what we’re doing, it’s a set program which really keeps us on track,” says sophomore Tony Litzenburg. But the main purpose isn’t just to get stron-ger, Dewald explains, it is to make a different type of student athlete workout program. “Everyone is on the same page,” he says. “The purpose of Bigger Faster Stronger is to unify all the athletes to-gether and the common goal is to per-form better individually. Also, now, be-cause they’re all on the same page, we can monitor track and critique everyone.” With Dewald’s help, students have plenty of successes to speak of. “Before BFS, I could only bench 210 lbs, and now I’m benching 230. I’m sur-

sports C3

Your turn:What sport would you want to walk-on in college and why?

Golf because I’ve played in high school and can continue to play for the rest of my life.

-Emily Kahn, senior

Soccer because I have played since I was little and it is one of my true passions.

-Matt Meltzer, junior

Tennis because it”s my favorite sport and I love the rush I feel during each point.

-Melissa Singer, sophomore

Walk-on WondersWalk-on athletes bring new spirit to the teamMatt Luckoff sports page editor

Athletes grow up dreaming for a chance to play professional sports, and to realize this dream they must play their sport in college. While almost every athlete on a college team, especially Division I, is on scholarship there are some who aren’t, these few braves souls are known as walk-ons. Personally, I would never try and walk-on to a college sport. First of all, I am not talented enough. Second of all, I definitely do not posses the patience and willingness to succeed as a walk-on. Walk-ons are not treated like the athletes who are on scholarship; they have to work to earn their spot on the team becuase they were not recruited. While you would think this would make them the weakest link on the squad, in many cases they are the strongest mentally. Ever seen the famous movie Rudy? Rudy is the prime example of a walk-on player. As a kid he grows up dreaming of playing football at Notre Dame and after four years of hard work Rudy finally breaks through the lineup and gets to play, I won’t ruin the ending for you but let’s just say he succeeds. Maybe not every walk-on’s story is like Rudy’s, or even close, but in recent years the University of Michigan has had walk-on starters in both basketball and football. No, this is not just because the football team has had its worst two seasons in the last 40 years, or because the basketball team hasn’t been too spectacular since the Fab 5, but because they give players a chance to prove themselves. Last years Wolverine Men’s basketball team featured two former walk-on players playing a vital role. Seniors C.J. Lee, and David Merritt both came to the University of Michigan with high hope of success but without a scholarship, or a good chance to get playing time. As seniors both started multiple games and helped lead the Wolverines to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over a decade. Along with the two of them, Michigan has seen walk-on safety Jordan Kovacs start the majority of the season for the football squad. Kovacs joined the Wolverines with no expectations of playing and became a leader not just emotionally, but on the field as well. So really what I am trying to say is that walk-ons are important to any college team, not just as emotional leaders but contributors on the field. The walk-on system also gives athletes who do not receive scholarships a second chance at their dreams.

Trying to prove to a cheerleader in his dorm that he was athletic enough to play any sport, 2008 Andover gradu-ate Greg Seraydarian walked on to the cheerleading squad at University of Michigan last spring. In order to make the team he had to do some ba-sic lifts of the girls on the squad and prove that he could do a standing back flip, according to Seraydarian. He practices four days a week for about two hours each day and he goes to the varsity weight room to lift weights for an hour three days a week. Includ-ing game time, he usually cheers anywhere from 11 to 15 hours per week. His teammates, traveling to games, and game-side seats for free are just a few of his favorite parts of being on the team.

Having always found crew intriguing, 2009 Andover graduate Corinne Wee decided to walk-on to Harvard’s team. Consisting of five to nine participants racing a boat at a time, crew refers to a type of rowing team. The boats differ from a typical rowboat: the seats move, the rower’s feet are strapped in, and the boats are much less sturdy than the typical rowboat. Since not many people have had the opportunity to row before, the walk-on program at Harvard is popular among students hoping to try a new sport. As a member of the team, Wee practices 6 days a week all year. Three days per week, she has two practices a day. One is to lift weights in the morning the other is to row or run in the afternoon. Morning practices are at 6 am so the athletes can finish everything before class. According to Wee, altogether it takes up a ton of time but she believes it has helped her manage her time by forcing her to be ef-ficient with her studying. By being a part of the crew team, Wee feels she has learned a ton about teamwork and has become best friends with her teammates. She believes that rowing on the Charles River is such a privilege, especially during the sunrise.

Discovering

Seraydarian and Wee find new passions in cheering and rowing after graduating from Andover

Hidden Talents

Emily Langnassports page editor

BRIAN MARGOSIAN/shield

U.S.S. HARVARD

sportsC4

Far Right: Girls’ swim team captain Shannon McGovern (11), helps set up the meet by plac-

ing timing pads into the pool. The pads give coaches not only the swimmers’ split times, but

also their final time in the race.

Right: Joe Abrash (10) celebrates after seeing he finished first in the 50 yard freestyle as well

as getting his state qualifying time in the event. Abrash swam a 23.33 second 50 free, sur-

passing the state cut by .06 seconds. Abrash is the first person on the boys’ team to get his

state qualifying time this season.

Left: Swimmers take their marks at the start of the first event, the 200 yard medley relay. In this event, four swimmers each swim two lengths of a different stroke, together they swim all four. Here, backstrokers get in the water to begin the race. There are three relays in a swim meet; the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle. Though Andover started the meet strong, Detroit Country Day won 117 to 69.

Below: Ketan Murthy (12) waits with other “counters” for the 500 yard freestyle to start at the Andover v. Detroit Country Day meet on Tuesday January 12th. The 500 is the longest event in high school swimming and each swimmer has a team member count their laps to ensure they don’t lose track of laps already swam.

Above: Michael Linden (11) finishes his last length in the 100 butterfly. His teammates Zack

Prebay (10) placed 2nd earning an Oakland County qualifying time, and Tyler Falcoff (9)

placed 4th.

Right: Completing his last dive, Adam Chahine (12) finishes with 238.50 points, winning the div-ing portion of the meet. Andover has six divers,

four of which are freshman.

MADELINE MCILHON/shield

Right: Before the start of the first race, swimmers, divers, spectators, and coaches stand as the scoreboard displays

a waving American Flag and the national anthem plays through the speakers. As soon as the song finished, An-

dover swimmers took their places for the first race as they prepared to take on Detroit Country Day, who is seated

sixth in the state in Division 3.

In the Laneto Leagues

Andover boys’ swimming and diving team take on Detroit Country Day as they prepare for League Meet.