Periscope - December 2008

Periscope Dumont High School

Vol. XCVI No. 1 DHS

101 New Milford Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628

DHS Under New Administration Mr. Michael Parent, Principal By: Edgar Mariano & Jaynee Flores, juniors

Last year, Mr. Parent was the vice principal of Dumont High School. This year, he is now the principal, and he is taking on the responsibilities of running and improving DHS. Mr. Parent started his higher education track at Ocean County College and completed his bachelor’s degree at William Paterson University. He then attended Montclair State University to achieve his master’s degree and continued on to Seton Hall University. He is currently working toward his doctorate. Mr. Parent first entered the educational field as an English teacher, teaching at Paterson Catholic. What he enjoyed

the most was discussing and discovering good books. He says, “Books did great things for me.” What Mr. Parent finds rewarding about his current position as principal is the privilege to work with teachers on big issues. He wants to “inch by inch, make a great place for

He wants to “inch by inch, make a great place for students.”

Miss Ryanne Foley, Vice Principal By: Deborah Stack, senior

For those students who do not yet know, DHS’s beloved math teacher, Miss Foley, has now become the Vice Principal who is in charge of sophomore and senior students. Miss Foley said that the transition from teacher to administrator was difficult. “But what [transition] isn’t?” she said. “I miss the classroom, hearing the bell ring, and switching classes, and I miss the math! But what has made the transition easy is knowing the staff, being comfortable with

students.” The major difference between his former and current role is that, as principal, there is no one to bail him out. “You are the final word in the building. That is the toughest part,” said Mr. Parent. As principal, Mr. Parent has many changes in mind. The main change that he wants to bring about is to refocus the school on academics. His long term plans are to reshape the way students choose their courses and to make more courses are available. Some courses he would like to introduce to DHS are a freshman seminar, an internship, and additional higher-level classes.

everyone at DHS, and knowing Mr. Parent, the rules, and the ways things work.” Miss Foley is excited about her new position, as she has hoped to be able to obtain an administrative position for a number of years, and is excited to be able to learn something different every day. “As a math teacher,” Miss Foley says, “It was math, math, math all day long. Now, every day is an adventure!” Her favorite aspect of her new position is working with a team of administrators. “All of the administrators work so well together, and Mr. Parent has great, new ideas,” she said. The major difference she has encountered between her former and current positions are the disciplinary issues. She explains, “As a teacher you deal with discipline very little in the classroom, but now it’s an everyday occurrence to deal with discipline.” A typical day for Miss Foley is not routine. “My schedule really is Continued on Page 5

December 2008

What’s Inside? School News pp. 2-5 * National News p. 6 * Features p. 7 * Student Spotlight p. 8 *

Entertainment News p. 9 * Style p. 10 * Fun Stop p. 11

Mr. Brian Palumbo, Vice Principal By: Roselyn Thalathara, senior

As the proud owner of Kimber, a Northern Alaskan Husky, Mr. Brian Palumbo can rest assured knowing he will feel quite welcomed here in the very home of the Huskies. Mr. Palumbo joined Dumont High School as Vice Principal this year, along with Miss Foley, under the new Parent regime. Mr. Palumbo loves being in the high school environment; he is passionate about educating

young people. “I always aspired to work with students,” he explains, “and [the position of] Assistant Principal allows me to work with students the best I can.” Mr. Palumbo first started out working as a Big 6 accountant, later branching out to coaching and teaching business education at Jefferson Township High School. It was there that he made a fateful acquaintance with a fellow teacher, Mr. Michael Parent. As a youth in high school, Mr. Palumbo played lacrosse and swam. In fact, he has a natural affinity for water, participating in swimming, wakeboarding, surfing, and water polo; he was even on James Madison University’s water polo team in Virginia back in his college years. And, he likes seafood! But Mr. Palumbo’s most important hobby is probably his family. Indeed, he just welcomed Continued on Page 5

Page 2

Fall Issue

PERISCOPE | SCHOOL NEWS

Privileged

A Look into ‘Seniority’ at DHS By: Jennifer Forde, senior

With the start of any school year, students anticipate a new set of challenges. For seniors, these include college applications and preparing to say goodbye to friends. What makes most seniors look forward to senior year, besides the excitement of heading off to college soon, are senior privileges. At DHS, the senior privileges are the senior prom, Project Graduation, access to the courtyard, the senior lounge in the cafeteria, and possible exemption from finals. Yet most seniors at DHS feel that these senior privileges are not really benefits. While the senior prom and Project Graduation are events most seniors look forward to attending, they do not exactly feel like benefits. When students are required to pay for events, they are not true privileges. Also, the senior prom is not restricted as a “senior only” event. Additionally, seniors are the only students who have access to the courtyard. This might be nice in the spring, but is not a very useful “senior privilege” when it is 40 degrees outside in the middle of winter. It is doubtful that many seniors will take advantage of that benefit during the majority of their senior year. Another senior privilege is exemption from finals. Exemptions are a good incentive for students to keep their grades up, but in some classes that can be very hard for many students to achieve. Many students are taking advanced level courses, and keeping an A- average in all those classes while trying to keep up with sports and after

-school jobs can be difficult. This is great for students who can do this, but for many it is not feasible. Therefore, it is more of a “smart student” privilege than a senior privilege. The senior privilege seniors want the most is a senior lounge. It feels as though this year seniors are lacking a lounge because it has been downgraded to two benches in the back of the cafeteria, and most of the time the “senior lounge” is occupied by underclassmen. A few years ago, the seniors had a centralized senior lounge in the 1st floor elevator wing that was only allowed to be occupied by them, and yet in the recent past the seniors were given only two benches in the back of the cafeteria. DHS seniors have been very vocal about this issue. One senior said, “We are being gypped. Most schools have much better senior privileges than the ones our school has.” When asked what could be done to improve the situation, senior Charlene Fernandez suggested getting seniors a better senior lounge, letting the seniors decorate their lounge, and prohibiting underclassmen from being allowed to use it. She also suggested that perhaps only seniors should have an open campus during SDLs and the lunch period. There are many other high schools where seniors receive more prominent privileges than DHS seniors. These range from a senior staircase, to special senior parking, to a wider variety of class choices. This is causing DHS seniors to question whether they are really “privileged.”

Ecology Club Raises Awareness By: Tameh Rohani, junior

With Mr. Post in charge for his second year, the Ecology Club is focusing on making district students aware of the waste that goes down sewage drains as well as what they can do to be eco-friendly. Mr. Post stated that the club’s main purposes this year were to “bring about awareness [for people] to be eco-friendly” and to have people be “conscientious regarding the climate.” “ T h e Ecology Club has kicked off the year with aluminum and battery recycling, a printer cartridge collection, and student representatives raising storm drain awareness throughout the district,” Mr. Post said. To aid in their endeavors, the BCUA, or Bergen County Utilities

Authority, gave the club a grant of $940, specifically for recycling awareness. The grant was called the “Environmental Awareness Grant.” The club used a portion of the grant to fund a project that will place specially designed and marked trash receptacles on the school campus for recycling cans to further clean-up the environment. Moreover, the club is looking forward to possibly going down to the Jersey shore as a major clean-up project. The Ecology Club focuses on the elimination and reduction of waste and raising awareness of water contamination in sewage and storm drains. These preliminary ideas of the Ecology Club will benefit the community and light the way to an environmentally healthy future.

Editorial Blocked Websites By: Kaitlyn Plinio, sophomore

The Internet is filled with sites that our parents and teachers do not want us to view. Some have images of pornography and violence, and other websites deal with sexuality, illegal activities, bigotry, racism, and drugs. In addition, the majority of social networking sites such as Myspace, Facebook and Meebo are also blocked. Not only are these websites blocked here in DHS, but they are also blocked in most schools around the country. Although I believe that social networking websites are okay to block, other websites that provide valuable information to students should be accessible to all. For instance, students should be able to view images on Google, Yahoo!, AOL, and Ask alike, since they all contain the same pictures, yet Google Images is blocked. Many students do not mind that Myspace and other similar websites are blocked, but others absolutely hate it. One student expressed her

opinion about the blocked websites. She believes that blocked websites are good in a way since they may eliminate the probability of viruses. At the same time, she said, “It is bad because some sites that are blocked just give people information for a project or other schoolrelated things, and they [people] can’t access those sites due to the fact that they are blocked.” She theorized that certain sites are blocked because “the administrators want us to be working on homework instead of looking up random things.” Therefore, she believes the administrators will not take the initiative to unblock the harmless sites. However, the interviewee maintained that for the controversy of blocked websites to be solved, “the administrators should not block as many sites.” Where do you stand?

The C.A.D. Lab A New Technology at DHS By: Michelle Decepida, senior

The students of Dumont High School this year have been fortunate to receive a number of new developments to make their educational career more enjoyable: a new football field, a new track, changes in the administration, new teachers, and, last but certainly not least, a new computer program which makes the jobs of drafting teachers Mr. McWhirr and Mr. Banicki much more interesting. This program is called Computer Aided Design, otherwise known as C.A.D. The C.A.D. program has not only been anxiously awaited by Mr. McWhirr and Mr. Banicki, but also by Drafting students. Several students have expressed their excitement for the C.A.D. program. The benefit of C.A.D. to the drafting curriculum is simple: it takes a sketch of an object that would normally take about thiry-five minutes to complete and shortens that amount of time down to ten minutes. And as Mr. Banicki often tells his students, in the real world time is money; therefore, the more efficiently ideas are put down on paper, the more opportunities there

are to make money. C.A.D. is much more efficient than taking a piece of paper and a pencil and sketching an object. When sketching an object, there are many factors that could lead to an inaccurate picture: the reliability of the tools used, the thickness of the lines drawn, and the skill of the person using those tools. C.A.D. gets rid of the mistakes that could occur due to human error. Also, it is possible to generate very complex 3-D objects that would normally take about three months to draw by hand. Thus, this new technology allows for a conceived object to become virtually visible. Added benefits of C.A.D. include its ability to show manuallygenerated objects at millions of different angles that would otherwise take months to portray by hand, and also to show the objects in use as they would function in real life. Ultimately, the goal of C.A.D. is to help people more easily comprehend objects’ structures and functions. Dumont High School’s drafting students will explore C.A.D. throughout the year, using it to create projects the school can be proud of.

December 2008

Page 3

PERISCOPE | SCHOOL NEWS

The SATs’ Role in College Admission By: Stephanie Eisemann, freshman

College and the SAT seem to go hand in hand. The majority of colleges ask for these scores, which is probably the reason that eighty to eighty-five percent of DHS seniors take the test every year. According to Dr. Collins of the Guidance Department, while the SAT is not the only determining factor for college acceptance, it is relied upon by colleges as an indicator of potential college success because it is the one universal comparison that they can make among applicants. Grades can vary with different teachers’ and schools’ grading systems, but everywhere in the world this test is the same. When asked how much of an influence the SAT has on college acceptance, Dr. Collins replied: “Along with your grades and GPA, it is one of the most important criteria.” The company that sponsors the infamous SAT is the College Board; however it hires the Educational Testing Service to develop it. Together, these companies have control over the test that determines so many futures. However, the company assures that, “It is the most rigorously researched

and analyzed standardized test in the world. Each question on the SAT goes through an in-depth pretesting and review process to ensure that every single question is fair to all students across genders and ethnicity groups,” according to the official College Board website. Another aspect of the test that is a source of students’ dread is the test’s length. It takes place from about 7:40 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and is about four hours in length including instructions and breaks. The test is far too long in the opinion of Dr.

Collins.

When asked if the test seemed a fair assessment of various academic skills, Dr. Collins said that each student is unique. Some may excel in all areas where others may just excel in one. However, the type of school the student wants to go to should align with a student’s strengths. An aspiring engineer should strive for a higher math score, for example. In general, though, the area most students need to work on is reading comprehension. With approximately ninety-

five percent of the student body planning to go to college, SAT scores are helpful in securing acceptance. Most DHS students plan to apply to schools on the east coast, where these scores are necessary. However, Bergen Community College does not require these test scores, and over seven hundred and fifty schools nationwide have dropped the requirement, though their locations tend to be more to the west. Yet, in the end the SAT is “the most widely used college admissions test, a distinction that it has held for more than seven decades,” says the College Board. “It’s just one part of the process,” Dr. Collins says. “Just embrace the challenge and accept reality.”

Stress Levels Elevate Due to College Applications By: Deborah Stack, senior

Have you ever noticed the behavior of high school freshmen? They all seem to have endless amounts of energy and are full of excitement for the new friends, clubs, classes, and endless possibilities that high school entails. What could have happened in four years to create a transformation from bubbly freshman to sickly, tired, bloodshot-eyed and cranky seniors? The juxtaposition is frightening. Where freshmen are happy, seniors could kill with a glance. Where freshmen are carefree, seniors are on edge, worrying about anything and everything. Doctors across America have questioned and wondered about this predicament. And they have each come to separate conclusions: Senioritis! Hay fever! Mono! But the real reason why all of these seniors act the way they do? College applications. College apps don’t seem like such a daunting task to the neutral observer. But stress over applying to college is well known to every high school senior. And it is not just the financial burden looming in the future that gets us. Parental stress is a major contributor. The only person more worried about you getting into college than you is your mother, father, or both. According to George F. Will, columnist for Newsweek,

“Such parents produce children who…worry unhealthily [that] a bad decision about where to apply to college would probably lead to a life of future unemployment, then homelessness, and finally exclusion from family gatherings at holidays.” And all of this stress certainly is not healthy, mentally or physically. According to the New York Times, “… doctors and educators also worry that stress tied to academic achievement can lead to depression, eating disorders, and other mental health problems.” Is it not ironic that academic achievement is leading to depression? A number of students are competing for spots at schools that have acceptance rates between seven and nine percent. Even perfect grades and SAT scores, a history as a member of three varsity sports teams, being the three-time champion of the scholastic decathalon, having the lead role in every musical production, and holding the position as organizer of a mass fundraiser that enabled the creation of a new children’s wing at the local hospital, a student is still not guaranteed to get into his/her dream school! “Schools where good, solid kids were a sure admit a few years ago, now are places where they find themselves wait-listed or denied,” says Amy Belstra, post-graduate

counselor at Cherry Creek High School in suburban Denver. As a result, students are over-exerting themselves simply to get their application looked at. “An MIT applicant has an average of 12 extracurricular activities, and when you think about that, even if they’re an hour apiece, 12 extra hours spent in extra-curricular activities, in addition to their schoolwork and everything else they have. That’s insane, insane,” said a broadcast on WTAE TV. Whatever happened to colleges basing your acceptance not on numbers, but on who you are, how you will fit in on campus? Well, there’s the college interview, right? For most students, the interview is the most dreaded aspect of the college application process. The prospect of sitting across an immense sea of oak and kitchy desk-top doodads and attempting to maintain a professional attitude through your jitters is scarier than the Saw movies, 1-5! Yet the CollegeBoard, the maker of the SAT, suggests that your answers should be truly spontaneous, honest reactions. But if you tell your interviewer that if you could meet any person, alive or dead, and have a conversation with him, it would be Perez Hilton, would the school accept you? Now, some administrators might respond, “Yes, actually, my school admires honest, creative answers.” And in

a perfect world, that would be true! Unfortunately, today colleges are weeding out applicants left and right, with or without a purpose, and that is a frightening thought. So before you get all worked up about the college application process, high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, take a deep breath. It will be ok. After you finish your ulcer medication, buy your economy-sized box of Advil cartons at Costco, and see several dermatologists about that compulsive itching problem, it’s only about six months of your life you have to worry about! I promise, even though you haven’t been formally diagnosed, as soon as that acceptance letter is in your hand, you will be good to go! [that is, if you get your college’s acceptance letter. If not, side effects may vary…]. Note from the Editor: The views expressed by the writer are in regards to top-tier schools. Students are certainly being accepted into colleges and universities that give them excellent educations.

PERISCOPE | SCHOOL NEWS

Page 4

Fall Issue Next issue: DHS’newest arrival, Ms. Gina Sullivan

Mrs. Maria Albano By: Jennifer Forde, senior

This year, Dumont High School is lucky to introduce many new teachers and faculty to the school community. One of these new teachers is Mrs. Albano. Mrs. Albano, a Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and 8th grade Spanish teacher at Selzer School, has secured a position at DHS after having worked in the school as an ESL aide for several years. After graduating from St. Peter’s College with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Mrs. Albano knew that teaching high school

students about the Spanish language, culture, and literature was what she wanted to pursue as a career. Mrs. Albano feels that because Spanish is her first language, and because she feels so passionate about her culture, she would be an asset to teaching others. While she is not a fan of all the “housekeeping” that comes along with teaching, the enthusiasm that she has for teaching and seeing her enthusiasm reflected in her students more than makes up for it. What Mrs. Albano would like students to know about her classes is that they have the freedom to express themselves. As far as her impression of Dumont High School, she loves the school and the atmosphere and only continues to enjoy life at Dumont High School more as time goes by. When not in school, Mrs. Albano enjoys visiting museums, eating at ethnic restaurants, and helping her children with their schoolwork.

Ms. Rachel Babashak By: Jaynee Flores, junior

Ms. Babashak started teaching at DHS last year as a year-long substitute teacher. This year, Ms. Babashak was hired as a full-time teacher at DHS. Also, in tandem with her journalism class, she has continued with her role as co-advisor for Periscope. Ms. Babashak related, “I wanted to become a teacher so I could help people.” After trying different jobs she realized being a teacher was the right job for her, since she wanted an occupation where she could help students learn. Last year Ms. Babashak taught at DHS for the first time. One of her first impressions was that the students and the staff were very welcoming upon her arrival. In her position she learned that, “teaching is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it is also the best thing … I have responsibilities, but I enjoy it.” Her teaching experience has rendered many memorable moments in class. Ms.

Babashak says she enjoyed receiving thank-you’s from students and hearing their sentiments expressed. Now that Ms. Babashak is a full-time teacher who is teaching English 2 CP and English 3 CP, there are a few differences from last year. As far as the teaching curriculum, she is now teaching older kids, and she is trying to refine activities. She explained that her teaching style consists of giving out as many activities as possible, trying to have minimal lectures, and holding student discussions. Ms. Babashak says, “my goal is to find a way to make learning fun.” As an English teacher, Ms. Babshak enjoys reading and has read many interesting books. She likes to read contemporary fiction and her favorite authors are Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. During her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and going to the theater. Ms. Babashak’s pet peeve is when students give up. For instance, she disklikes it when students leave blanks on a test. She says, “just try because that’s all you can do in life.” In addition to prolonging her teaching career at DHS, Ms. Babashak’s future plans include getting her Master’s degree. She also wants to get involved with drama at camps or after school programs, but for now she is happy teaching English at DHS.

Mrs. Tricia Alesandro By: Milcia Pena, junior

DHS has acquired many new staff members this school year, including Mrs. Alesandro, a new science teacher. Mrs. Alesandro, who received her B.A. at Rowan University and her M.A. at Walden University, teaches Geophysical Science and Physics. She has taught for ten years, having worked at Westwood prior to coming to Dumont. Her interest in science was inspired by her father, who always talked about science as she grew up and would take things apart and put them back together to explain their functions to her. Mrs. Alesandro’s high school chemistry teacher was a major influence on her decision to pursue teaching. He was an energetic person who added life

to learning. Mrs. Alesandro decided that she wanted to become a teacher so that she too could present learning as a positive experience for students. In addition, she was influenced by her neighbor who always sought Mrs. Alesandro’s help with her school work. One day the girl told Mrs. Alesandro that she had a way of making big concepts simple and suggested that Mrs. Alesandro become a teacher when she grew up. That statement stuck with her and helped her with her career decision in college. Mrs. Alesandro said, “I love the fact that it [teaching] is a new experience each day. Every day there are different kids and people to interact with. The interaction is the best part.” The people that Mrs. Alesandro loves in her field of study include Einstein “because he was a mess, he could not spell, and did not fit in school because he had a different way of thinking and did things his own way, but he had a brain for science. ... He went with his passion and did not let anyone interfere with it.” So far Mrs. Alesandro has been overwhelmingly pleased with her experience at DHS. She stated that the best part of DHS is her colleagues because they are so helpful and have welcomed her into their environment. Mrs. Alesandro has great expectations for the years to come.

Ms. Karen Booker By: Kristelle De Castro, junior

Who is the new teacher hitting the books in the English Department? The new English teacher in the building is Ms. Booker, whose desk is currently located in room 110. Ms. Booker has a teaching history that is very interesting. Prior to her arrival at Dumont High School, Ms. Booker had already seen a part of the world that some dream to visit but never get the chance to: Ms. Booker worked in Japan as an English teacher in public school for three years with the JET program. “JET” stands for Japan Exchange Teaching, which is controlled by Japan’s government. Prior to her experiences teaching English in Japan, Ms. Booker was not planning on becoming a teacher. She explained, “I studied English in college and was planning

to either go into publishing or law school. I was accepted into the JET program and really liked interacting with the students there. Afterwards, I was accepted into a masters program for teaching in America.” Then, after the completion of her student teaching in New York City, she worked in Teaneck High School and Hawthorne High School before settling into Dumont High School. Ms. Booker made the move to Dumont High School because she now lives in Dumont. Ms. Booker stated she has received a good impression of our school, saying, “I like it a lot; everyone here is very nice. … I think the students are enthusiastic, generally well-behaved, and involved in activities.” Ms. Booker shared some interesting information about her life. “New Jersey is the seventh state I’ve lived in. I moved to Dumont to be with my fiancé, who lives in Bergenfield. We will be married in June.” Besides Ms. Booker’s love for teaching, she also has a love for dance. She could see herself becoming involved in the high school’s Dance Team in the future. For now, her goal is to meet all the curriculum goals and get through the school year. It sounds like Ms. Booker is already off to a great start in Dumont High School.

December 2008

PERISCOPE | SCHOOL NEWS

Mrs. Fina Flores By: Nicole Dargis, sophomore

Mrs. Flores was hired as the new Spanish teacher at Dumont High School. Mrs. Flores, a graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University, is young, but she is an effective teacher who really knows how to get a class interested in her lessons. “Although second language acquisition can be a mental challenge, I make learning fun for my students. I transfer my passion and enthusiasm for the language. I help my students become critical thinkers by asking better questions. I help them take new topics and new vocabulary and make sense out of them,” said Mrs. Flores. “When I entered college I knew that I wanted to be a teacher,” said Mrs. Flores, “but I did not know what area I wanted to teach.” Mrs. Flores said that she likes teaching Spanish to high school students

because it prepares them for life after high school since they live in a culturally diverse society, and it is important for students to be able to communicate with people of other cultures. Learning Spanish may come easily to some students, while it is more of a challenge to others. Mrs. Flores has experienced this challenge, only with the English language. “When my parents and I arrived in the United States, we were surprised when faced with so many challenges. One of our many challenges was the second language acquisition,” said Mrs. Flores. Mrs. Flores’ mother told her that she must attend school in order to have a better life in America. After joining a school program, Mrs. Flores was put in an ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Her success in the classroom – now as a teacher – is due to the structure and order she maintains, which helps keep students motivated to learn. Mrs. Flores has rules and regulations for her classroom. The number one rule in a classroom is responsibility, according to Mrs. Flores. Mrs. Flores said that the hardest part of teaching is watching students that don’t show effort. Effort plays a big part in teaching and learning; laziness will not get people far in life at all. Our school, staff, and students are very lucky to have Mrs. Flores as a teacher here because she brings a lot to the table. Mrs. Flores is a very remarkable teacher that will do great in Dumont High School.

Miss Foley

Cont’d from page 1 different every day. I never sit at my desk; that’s the only thing that you can count on! I usually walk around, dealing with cuts. The only thing that is the same every single day is my duty in the hallway at lunch. My position is really about being on your toes, as everything always changes.” Miss Foley’s goal for her first year as an administrator is to get used to the position and the responsibilities it entails, specifically the departments she is supervising. “I’m supervising languages, music, and special education, and for me, those departments are foreign and new worlds. This year is a learning year - a big year for conversation - just to see what everyone would like to see happen in the future at Dumont High School.” This new vice principal also has some long-term goals that she envisions instituting at DHS. She explains, “I’m a big fan of curriculum and new classes; one thing that I am hoping will happen in the future is a freshman seminar and a senior seminar, a

Page 5

sort of welcome and good-bye from Dumont High School, to start and wrap up students’ high school careers.” Miss Foley advises students that they “should go to their classes and do their best, whatever their best might be; enjoy classes and teachers, start conversations, and make the best out of their day - and don’t cut! Every student should get involved in something - a sport or club, volunteer work - whatever it might be. But make sure, whatever you do, do not cut classes!”

Mr. Palumbo Cont’d from page 1

a new baby boy, Everett Joseph, into his family. What fresh ideas does Mr. Palumbo plan to bring to DHS? “Reorganizing student government,” he says, “[and] creating one in which students have more of a voice.” He plans to hold monthly meetings where each representative of each club will have an agenda item. “Complete reorganization,” Palumbo states, “one that I don’t think students at DHS have seen before.”

Tomorrow’s Teachers

A New Generation of Teachers from DHS By: Stephanie Martin, senior

Last February, like every February, students were given slips from their guidance counselors in their homerooms, that signified it was time to make up their schedules for the next year’s classes. There was something different about the course offerings that time around - there was a new class being offered to all upcoming juniors and seniors called Tomorrow’s Teachers. This class is directed towards any upperclassmen who are interested in becoming teachers in the future. In the class, the students learn about self-esteem, how certain actions can affect a child’s own self-esteem, child development, and the days in the lives of different teachers. In addition, the class may have the chance to attend a faculty meeting at the high school to see what else teachers have to do at work. Around March and April, the class is going to observe many different classroom settings: an elementary school class, a high school class, a middle school class, and a special education class. After they write about and discuss their observations, they will have the opportunity to teach a class of their choosing. Students

may choose elementary, high school, or special education for twenty days straight. Participants have already requested a cooperating teacher whom they will be assisting, but there is no guarantee that they will get the teacher they requested because it may not work with the teacher’s schedule. The students will act solely as “teacher cadets” to their cooperating teachers, but they will have to make up lesson plans and teach a few topics. Mrs. Barnes, who is the teacher of this new class, is very enthusiastic and optimistic about Tomorrow’s Teachers and hopes it will continue for years to come. This class teaches students the fundamental aspects of being a teacher and even gives them the opportunity to teach in a classroom setting, a tremendous first step towards teaching as a career.

Seeking New Submissions What is an oracle? oracle noun 1 a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity. • a place at which such advice or prophecy was sought. • a person or thing regarded as an infallible authority or guide on something: casting the attorney general as the oracle for and guardian of the public interest is simply impossible. 2 a response or message given by an oracle, typically one that is ambiguous or obscure. ORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from Latin oraculum, from orare ‘speak.’

What is the Oracle? The Oracle – Dumont High School’s literary magazine. Published annually, the Oracle showcases all students’ creativity in printable form: stories, poems, plays, photographs, drawings/sketches, and paintings. When: Deadline is December 22, 2008. Where: Email submissions to [email protected] or bring to room 113. Why: Leave your footprints in the sands of time.

Page 6

PERISCOPE | NATIONAL NEWS

The Economy

and Its Effect on Students By: Annie Smith, freshman

Americans are facing many challenges in the economy. People are losing their homes and their jobs. The cost of home heating energy has dramatically risen. Gas prices have gone down, but how are these people supposed to pay for gas and even food without jobs? And how is the economy affecting the students at Dumont High School? Students graduating from Dumont High School are hoping to attend college, get jobs, and some may even want a house one day. With the struggling economy, these students may never get any of these things, or at least not very easily. College tuition is getting harder to pay for. About ninety percent of the jobs of the future will require some post-secondary education or training from colleges. That leaves ten percent of jobs for the people who did not get a college degree. College graduates in the United States earn nearly twice as much as workers with just a high school diploma. This means that if a student wants to make a good amount of money when he is older, he should

go to college. However, with the cost of tuition going up, not all students can afford to go to college. In this highly competitive global economy, a college education has never been more expensive, with average tuition rates nearly doubling over the last decade. Some students may fill out their working papers, but they may not have the best of luck finding jobs. Fewer jobs are becoming available. Even if a student is lucky to get a job, salaries are lower than before. More and more pink slips are being issued. The lack of jobs means less disposable income for Americans. The costs of essentials, such as food, are increasing dramatically. So little money is being earned, while things cost a lot more. Dumont High School students will certainly feel the impact of the faltering economy. Some students will miss out on a good college education, earn less money, and struggle to find jobs. According to Bain Capital Managing Director Paul Edgerly, “It’s going to take a long time for the U.S. economy to turn around and become a growth engine.”

Thanksgiving: Turkey or Thanks?

By: Jellirica Tan, junior

Thanksgiving, the United States’ widely celebrated holiday, is approaching. Many of us know the story behind this legendary event and why we commemorate it. However, is it possible that we have degraded the meaning behind this honored holiday? It is accepted that Thanksgiving is a day in which we acknowledge our prosperity and fortunes. It is a day in which we leave behind the thoughts of greed, misery, and misfortune. Families gather and realize the importance of each other’s presence. It seems, though, that these values have been ignored.

Fall Issue

A Summary of the

2008 Presidential Campaign By: Shanelle Gonzales, sophomore

What’s the difference between the presidential campaign before and after the national political convention? Lipstick. In the historic 2008 presidential election, Americans saw things that they have never seen before in presidential campaign history: Barack Obama, a black man running for president, and John McCain, giving all of America a surprise by announcing that Sarah Palin would be his Vice Presidential running mate. In case anyone has been hiding these past ten months, here are some things that happened. “You know, you can put lipstick on a pig,” Obama said, “but it’s still a pig.” Obama delivered the line while campaigning in Lebanon, Virginia, tearing into his rivals for not representing real change. Many in the Obama crowd leaped to their feet in delight, apparently taking the “pig” comment as a direct slam at Palin. One of her most memorable lines during her vice-presidential acceptance speech at the GOP

convention was the ad lib, “What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick,” which drew huge cheers from the GOP crowd. And what does Obama have to say about this? Obama’s campaign spokesman insisted Obama was not referring to Palin with the line, calling it an old expression. Next were the two debates between Obama and McCain. A USA Today/Gallup Poll showed 46 percent of those who watched the debates say Obama did a better job than McCain, while 34 percent said McCain did better. The debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden was also viewed by many, with pundits claiming Biden expressed his knowledge and experience, while Palin fared better than expected, despite earlier public missteps. Now that the election is over, these events will be permanent chronicles of a tremendously historically significant election.

The Election of a New President

The idea of Thanksgiving has been demeaned to such a degree that even its name has been insultingly turned into “Turkey Day.” Americans have managed to transform a respectable holiday into a celebration of merely feasts and football games. Evidently, the true purpose of Thanksgiving has been lost and forgotten. However, with our country undergoing economic troubles, http://campaignwindow.com/georgiastudentsforbarackobama/uploads/georgiastudentsforbarackobama/060922_BarackObama_Xtrawide.jpg perhaps a day of thanks is exactly what we need. Conceivably, if the In order to win the true intentions of Thanksgiving are By: Shanelle Gonzales, sophomore presidential election a candidate brought back, Americans can realize What a journey the 2008 needs 270 electoral votes. Obama more fully the blessings that they election has been! Barack Obama have. won a massive victory against

made United States history on November 5, 2008 when he became the first African-American president. Barack Obama told supporters that “change has come to America” as he claimed the victory in this historic presidential election.

his opponent, John McCain, who gathered 162 electoral votes, versus Obama’s 349 votes. In order to win the presidential election a candidate needs 270 electoral votes, Obama, 47, will soon occupy the White House. He will become the 44th U.S. president on January 20, 2009.

Read about president-elect Barack Obama’s plans he hopes to instate in his position of chief execuitve in the upcoming issue of Periscope.

December 2008

PERISCOPE | FEATURES

Page 7

And the World Was Silent The Story of Modern Day Slavery

By: Christina Zikos, senior

When one thinks of slavery, one thinks of history. Yet the full story of human bondage is still unwritten. The truth is, slavery is still a thriving institution across the globe, including the confines of the United States, the supposed land of the free. The difference between the slavery of by-gone years and today’s system of slavery is that while the slavery of the transatlantic trade era was legal, the slavery of the here and now is illegal throughout the world – at least on paper. This supposition should not permit global citizens to smugly assure themselves that all is well in the world; while people wallow in their complacency and ignorance, well over 27 million people (which could very well be a conservative estimate since, as mentioned, slavery is an illegal operation that is not recorded) are currently undergoing the dehumanization of this intolerable practice due to covert organized crime, unenforced legislation, and corrupt governments. Today’s slaves are not identifiable by the shackles around their ankles, or the color of their skin. Slavery pervades every racial group of the world and assumes several forms, including forced labor, debt bondage, domestic slavery, sex slavery, and

some remnants of chattel slavery. It is notable that human trafficking, the international or intranational selling and transportation of humans, has increased so much so that it is beginning to rival drug trafficking. The victims of modern slavery are oftentimes deceived into slavery. Poverty can propel people into slavery, with people allured by visions of opportunity in other countries finding themselves trapped in the hands of slave traders. Women from Indonesia or Sri Lanka, for instance, pay employment agencies to secure them a job working as a maid for a household in another country with a seemingly profitable return. Instead, they find themselves trapped as the domestic slaves and abuse victims of ruthless masters in a foreign country with their passports seized, and where the language, geography, and people are unknown – great bulwarks of escape. Millions of women, and young girls and toddlers too, are also ensnared by sex slavery. They are usually kidnapped or go freely, unwittingly deceived by the promise of a legitimate job, and find themselves forced into prostitution, encountering sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. For example, some slaves in Thailand, which has a booming sex tourism industry, report being forced

to service as many as 40 men a day. The U.S. State Department estimates that 17,500 slaves are brought into the United States alone every year from various countries, who largely toil in brothels, massage parlors, and other sex businesses, or as domestic servants. In East Asian countries like Pakistan and India, debt bondage is a system in which people of all ages are held as collateral against a debt that they owe or that they inherited from a relative. The bonded laborers work to pay off a debt to a local businessman who ensures that the debt grows exponentially larger, generating generations of slaves. Other countries, such as Burma, China, Mauritania, and Sudan are governed by dictatorships that have tacitly supported the enslavement of its own citizens. For instance, laogai exist in China. These are forced labor camps originated by Mao Zedong that enslave criminals, those accused of political or religious dissent, advocates of Tibetan independence, labor union activists, and dissident bloggers. In Sudan, the southern Sudanese are oppressed by the northern Arabs, who commit mass genocides of male villagers of Darfur notoriety and conduct slave raids and rapes of women and children. Many children, in Sudan and elsewhere, are exploited in armed conflict and forced

to murder – oftentimes their own relatives. The existence of millions of enslaved persons around the world challenges Americans to create a global abolitionist movement. The reason that slavery flourishes in the modern day is because it thrives on the ignorance of others: potential victims are lured unaware into the hold of human traffickers and the global community remains inactive while people suffer unthinkable fates. While the United States has made strides towards forming a front against slavery, the United Nations has done very little to address this paramount issue affecting so many people worldwide. The UN avoids standing up to slave traffickers or liberating their slaves because many guilty countries, such as Sudan and China, sit on the Human Rights Commission. How can one advance the anti-slavery movement? An individual can become a modern abolitionist by educating the public that slavery still exists, pressuring leaders to take stronger actions, providing aid to rehabilitation programs, and being an educated consumer who does not make purchases that benefits slaver holders, specifically sweat shop products.

Career Corner Interior Design

By: Juli Hidirash, sophomore,

The following questions and answers are from when I sat down with Connie Brienza, an interior designer. I asked her about her career and some of the responsibilities and joys that come from her field of work. After reading this article you may find that you have an interest in a career like that of Mrs. Brienza. Q: What is your job like? A: My job is creative. It gives me a lot of pleasure to help decorate people’s homes so they can come home to this beautiful space…a space that is warm and inviting so they can look forward to it after a long day. Q: What is a typical day like? A: A typical day starts with meeting the client and having a walk through their home. Then I sit down with them and discuss their lifestyle and the type of home they wish to create. After listening to them I go home and make a plan. This plan consists of samples of colors and furniture that give an idea of what the room will look like. I will show the final presentation to the client so they then can decide whether or not they wish to follow through with the project.

This typically is done through the satisfying when you finish a job. course of the week. You get to see your client’s reaction and how excited they are to see their Q: What are the duties, functions, home come alive. It’s very rewarding and responsibilities of your job? and exciting to have that feeling A: It’s a creative job, so I have to of accomplishment. I love to help coordinate fabrics and colors for the people and I get to do that in my job. clients to pick from to create their And that brings me happiness. vision. I also am the middleman: I go and see the furniture companies, Q: What are the skills that are other designers, etc. for the clients. most important for a position in It’s my responsibility to make sure the this field? person’s dream home comes true. A: The skills that are most important are sense of style and good taste. You Q: How did this type of work need to have a little bit of drawing interest you and how did you get skills but not a lot since the age of started? computers. You need to have good A: Well I always liked creative things, space ratio skills. Also you need to anything art. I always liked fashion have good math skills for measuring and this was fashion for the home. I the room such as dimensions and originally worked at Bloomingdales yardage. If you’re going to be in the home division. From there freelance you have to be able to I learned about the fashion for the know how to mark up your products. home. I left Bloomingdales when Math plays a major role in my job. I had my first child. Later I went to It’s important to be able to write well, work at my father-in-law’s upholstery for you constantly are writing up shop, [where] I brought the design proposals for your clients. end up in the business more. Q: What abilities or personal Q: Do you find your job exciting or qualities do you believe contribute boring? Why? most to success in this field? A: What’s exciting is that it’s A: You must have patience because

sometimes a client has no vision and it’s difficult to have to deal with [that]. People skills are key; if you don’t have them you’re doomed. Q: What are the major frustrations of this job? A: Some of the major frustrations in the job are delays in the custom furniture. Also, if the fabric is not ready from the mill. Unfortunately in this economy, business is slow. It’s a luxury business and so people do not want to spend their money. In a bad economy the business is not great to be in. There are things you can control and [things] you can’t; the ones you cannot control are frustrating. Q: Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field? A: My advice is to get a degree and pass your exam. That way you can get a corporate job. Also, to study green interior design, for this is the design of the future.

Page 8

Fall Issue

PERISCOPE | FEATURES

Dumont High School Student Spotlight The teenagers walking the halls of Dumont High School are not just students who attend class and study; many of them participate in significant extracurricular activities out of school that not only grant them terrific credentials to add to their college applications but exceptional life experiences as well.

Attention Students & Faculty: If you know of a student who has done something significant out of school and would like to have them considered for the Student Spotlight, please speak with Mrs. Glaser or Ms. Babashak in room 206.

For there was never a story of more whoah Griffin Hennelly

By: Tameh Rohani, junior

Dumont High School’s Griffin Hennelly, senior, along with eleven other playwrights, won the Blank Theatre Company’s 16th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Competition. His submission of Doublets and Hose, a parody of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is intentionally “a really bad production,” according to Hennelly. He stated that “the entire plot changes” and that “everyone dies due to gonorrhea, except Romeo and Juliet.” For his outstanding

submission, a plaque was made to honor him. More importantly, he was also given the chance to hold five performances of his play at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Hollywood, California, under the direction of a mentor and professional director. Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle said in a news release on the Blank Theatre Company’s website, “I am constantly amazed at the caliber of the writing in these winning plays each year. Just when I think the quality can’t get any better, it does. If I didn’t know these plays were

written by teenagers, I would never guess. This is not children’s theatre. It is remarkable to know that there are kids creating art at a level that can be compared to most adults. And by the way, often more entertaining!” Hennelly wishes to further pursue his career in some type of conservatory univerisity, viewing “normal college as a waste of time,” but at the same time says his work is “more of a hobby.” When asked what inspired him to become a playwright, Hennelly said, “Woody Allen.”

This Was the Moment Dominick Panfile

By: Edgar Mariano, junior

Dominick Panfile is a senior at Dumont High School who has recently won a singing contest titled “High School Teen Idol.” Although not affiliated with the popular show, American Idol, the competition included talented students from all around the United States. For three days, Dominick competed in various levels of the contest and eventually reached the finals. There he sang what he calls his signature song, “This Is the Moment,” from the musical, Jekyll & Hyde. When I asked him about the experience of singing in front of so

many people, he answered “the experience was nerve-racking but worthwhile.” Obviously Dominick’s nerves did not get the best of him because he earned the title of “High School Teen Idol.” When he received his award he said “I felt great and was so happy [that] I cried.” Dominick has been singing ever since he can remember and was taught by his grandfather. His biggest inspiration is his parents because they have been so supportive of him, from driving him to all choir rehearsals and auditions, to sitting in the seats on performance night. The

one person Dominick says has helped him with his singing career has been Mr. Pochini, the choir director at Dumont High School. Dominick says that Mr. Pochini taught him the proper techniques to sing and the way to approach music. When asked where he would see himself ten years from now, his response was that he would love to teach at Dumont High School. But in the near future, he would like to attend Montclair State University and major in Music Education.

In the Open:

Lakshya “Chris” Keshwani By: Tameh Rohani, junior

Returning from summer vacation, many students have stories and adventures to tell to their classmates. But how many of your friends had a summer job in the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament? Lakshya, also known as Chris, is a junior here at DHS who can say he works at such a world-renowned event. Keshwani has been the ball boy for the U.S. Open games for two years now. He goes to Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York to serve in his important role in the games. The job of the ball boy or ball girl is to collect, return, and provide balls to the players when they are out of play. He also enjoys playing tennis himself, “I’ve been playing tennis since I was very young and it’s a great thing

to see the professionals perform at such a big stage,” said Keshwani. Among the professionals he has met are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and John McEnroe. He said, “It has always been my dream to have a chance to meet them.” Keshwani stated that one of his friends informed him of the job; the former called in for the position and got a tryout date. He said that the admissions committee required the participants to have quickness and a good arm; Mr. Keshwani fit such standards and was qualified for the ball boy position. He said that his experiences were incredible and nerve-racking due to paparazzi going around the court

flashing away with their cameras and the hundreds of spectators watching his every move. “It was crazy in the sense that I was on television,” Keshwani said. “I wanted to seize such an opportunity by just having fun out there.” Aside from tennis, Keshwani enjoys playing soccer for Dumont High School, and recreationally, he takes part in both basketball and football. He enjoys traveling, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and “just having a good time.” When asked why he would endeavor to pursue such a demanding job, Keshwani responded: “It’s mostly my determination, love for the sport, and the will to play it.”

December 2008

PERISCOPE | ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The Sound of New Music By: Paulina Luong, freshman

New Albums The Glass Passenger by Jack’s Mannequin On October 8 the release of the long-awaited, new Jack’s Mannequin album, The Glass Passenger, was released internationally. Lead vocalist and pianist, Andrew McMahon, sings his tender vocals and moving, heartwarming lyrics. Jack’s Mannequin’s previous album, Everything In Transit, brought out the southern California vibe which is fast and catchy. Jack’s Mannequin made it to the tops of alternative music charts with the hit single, “Dark Blue”. The new album is settled down compared to the previous album. th

Love Lockdown by Kanye West Chicagobred, soul-sampling, beat master Kanye West produced his new album, Love Lockdown. His new album has impacted Hip Hop and R&B history due to the stunning lyrics and catchy beats. Kanye West originally climbed his way to the top of rap and R&B charts with “Gold Digger” and “Faster, Stronger.” His new album still has hot beats and inspiring lyrics like his previous hits.

Premiering Artist Every Avenue Every Avenue began as a small town band from Michigan but now they are anything but small. The band formed in 2005 with David Ryan (vocals and piano), Joshua Randall (guitar), Jimmie Deeghan (guitar), Cameron “Cam” Grestiner (bass), and Michael Govaere (drums). This alternative rock band made it to the top of the charts with their EP, “Ah!” (2007), and their album Shh. Just Go With It (2007). Both the EP and album have amazing guitar rifts, beats, heart-warming lyrics, and David’s heart-melting voice. Every Avenue decided to take a break from making music and has been at such venues as Bamboozle and Warped Tour. They are currently on the Compromising Integrity, Morality & Principles In Exchange For Money Tour with All Time Low, Mayday Parade, and The Maine. I had a great opportunity to interview Every Avenue on October 12th at the sold-out Roseland Ballroom show: Me: Which member of the band are you and what do you do? Mike: I’m Mike and I play drums for Every Avenue. Me: Is there a story behind the band name? Mike: It’s the band name that has been associated with our singer and myself since 2002. We were honestly too cheap to change our band name when the band changed up in 2004.

The Top Music Hits By: Keri DiGirolamo, junior

Music makes up a huge part in many people’s daily lives. Whether listening to just dance, to feel that someone knows what you are going through, or to find inspiration, people turn to music to fill their lives. It can turn many people’s worlds around by changing moods from happiness to sadness or vice versa. The new music people are listening to are topped by hot new singles that have been number one on the charts, such as “Live Your Life” by T.I. featuring Rihanna, “So What” by Pink, and “Disturbia” by Rhianna. They are followed by “Let it Rock” by Kevin Rudolf and featuring Lil Wayne, “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry, “Keeps Getting Better” by Christina Aguilera, “Can’t Believe It” by T-Pain, “M.I.A.”

by Paper Planes, and, lastly, “Gotta Be Someday” by Nickelback. There are many opinions over whether such artists have enough talent, but are getting too much attention. For instance, Britney Spears seems to be making a comeback with a new single, “Womanizer,” after going through many obstacles these past few months concerning her health and her two sons that she lost custody of. Her songs are on the charts which shows that Britney may be here to stay, despite her questionable song quality. Music is what lightens up our lives every day. These hot new singles seem to be making an impact on the public as shown by the charts, with many artists, new and old, vying for people’s attention.

Basically we didn’t want to pay for a new URL domain name for our website! ‘Every Avenue’ originally came from my brother brainstorming countless band names when I quit my old band. I said something like ‘’I’ve gone down every avenue figuring out this band name.” Me: Tell a little history of how Every Avenue came to be a band. Mike: David and I are the only original members left in the band. We started in 2002 with a few other guys and everything fell apart. David played guitar, I played drums, and we had a different lead singer. We kicked our old singer out who actually is our tour manager now, and asked David if he would try singing. He never sang before and it worked out. Since then we have added Josh, added Jimmie, the guitarist, and Matt as the bassist. Once those adjustments were made we felt like a complete band. Me: How did you guys get picked up to record for Fearless Records? Mike: Fearless came around when we sent them our Myspace and some of our songs. They instantly took us under their wing to record under their label. They are more than we could have asked for in my opinion. Me: How is the tour with All Time Low, The Maine, and Mayday Parade? Mike: It’s amazing beyond words. It’s like touring with your best friends. I couldn’t really ask for more than that.

Page 9

Book Reviews Twilight By: Stephanie Meyer By: Michele Herman, junior

There is a new book craze that’s sweeping the nation, called the “Twilight” series. These sagas are based on the story of a vampire who falls in love with an average human girl. There are four books in the series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. If you have not gotten the chance to read and fall in love with the books and the characters, you should really try them. As you journey into the life of Bella, one of the main characters, you fall in love with her relationship with a vampire named Edward. There are not enough good things I can say about these books. Want a second opinion? CosmoGirl magazine says: “The romance of these books get you hooked.” The New York Times says: “As Bella and her vampire swain channel Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Cathy, their audience falls under the spell of a love that is not only undying, but undead.” Paisley Hanover Acts Out By: Cameron Tuttle Another great new book recommended by CosmoGirl magazine is Paisley Hanover Acts Out. This book is about a girl in high school who doesn’t have any friends, but works with what she has. She creates her own cool life, simply by making her life seem cooler than the lives of the rest of the people in her school.

Award Show Recap By: Cassandra Conlan, junior

September was a busy month in Hollywood. Two award shows took place in this month, the Video Music Awards, and the 60th Annual Emmy Awards. Both were nights filled with glitz, glamour, and musical performances. The VMA’s were shown on MTV and used as a comeback for Britney Spears. Her hit “Piece of Me” took home Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year, a positive start on her road to recovery. Spears was very thankful and appreciative of her wins. Chris Brown took home Best Male Video for “With You,” and the Best Dancing in a Video went to the Pussycat Dolls for “When I Grow Up.” The VMA’s left the choice of Best New Artist up to the viewers: they had to text in their choice of artist. Tokyo Hotel was the winner with their hit, “Ready Set Go.” They beat out country singer Taylor Swift and pop star Miley Cyrus. As always, the VMA’s are known for their musical performances. Rihanna opened up the show with her popular

song “Disturbia,” then returned later on in the show to perform with T-Pain. Pink and the Jonas Brothers performed outside in a city looking film lot, and sang their singles “So What” and “Love Bug”. Overall, the VMA’s were exciting and successful in 2008. A few weeks later the 60th annual Emmy Awards took place. They were hosted by five reality show hosts: Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Jeff Probst, Ryan Seacrest, and Howie Mandel. All five used their comedy skills to create a unique opening act. The big winner was John Adams, which won Best Actor, Actress, and Supporting Actor in a miniseries/movie. Tina Fey was also a big winner, collecting awards for Best Actress in a comedy series and Best Comedy Series, for her show 30 Rock. As always, her acceptance speeches were humorous and very appreciative. Josh Grobin appeared as a musical guest, doing a rendition of over 20 television show openings in record time. The Emmy’s turned out to be an eventful night, and glamour-seeking viewers were not disappointed.

Page 10

Fall Issue

PERISCOPE | STYLE

Fall and Winter Fashion

We change. Seasons change. BUT ABOVE ALL FASHION CHANGES. Guys’ Pants

By: Paulina Luong, freshman

The chill is in the air, and doesn’t everyone want to look fair? Fall and winter are here and what a better way is there to welcome the cold weather than with chill styles? Put away those flip flops and suntan lotion and say “hello” to the nice and chilly weather. This season, everything is back brighter and bolder to cheer up

those cold and cloudy days. There are looks straight from the runway that could also fit budgets and go directly into wardrobes. Read on for the latest and hottest trends, styles, must-have looks, tops, bottoms, shoes, accessories, and the hottest places to find them. So read more…

Levi’s, Gap, and Pacsun have always been all time, American favorite classic for mens’ jeans. Don’t worry boys – the classics are still in, but with a hipper twist. Neon color skinny jeans, and daring patterns are on the rise for something daring this season. Check out the classic in styles right here: Truereligionbrandjeans.com

Available at Pacsun

bootcut jeans

Girls’ Shoes www.directsunglasses.co.uk

This season is all about making statements and standing out as one-in-a-million. The must-have look of this season is the vintage look with a pop-modern twist.

Uggs Available at Nordstrom

RayBan wafers

Available at True Religion

Kicks. Kicks. Kicks. Everyone wants to walk with fresh new kicks on their feet that are in style. This season vintage shoe styles are coming back, like moccasins, sweater knitted boots, cowboy boots, and flats. Don’t worry, though! The modern styles of Air Jordans, Nike Airs, and Converse are still in but back in bolder looks.

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

Fred Perry hightops

Available at B&P

Available at Urban Outfitters

www.overland.com

summer scarves

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

Available at B&P

Prints & Patterns

As the classic childhood hand game intones,“Pattern Pattern this this. Pattern Pattern that that. Pattern this Pattern that. Pattern Pattern this that.” Prints and patterns are in for this season in the form of plaids, checkerboards, zebra prints, giraffe prints, cross-stitching, watercolor effects, stripes, and geometric shapes.

cowboy boots

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/ Baghaus/1222080-black-1?$product$

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

Available at Urban Outfitters

Nike blazer

Guys’ Shoes

Available at Journeys

www.journeys.com

www.journeys.com

“Got my Nikes on cuz they are real sneakers…” – “Real Sneakers” by Drino Man. Sneakers are always a popular choice and they have withstood the many centuries of fashion. The latest styles for this season are high-top sneakers with screaming colors and hot patterns:

Midway Sk8hi Vans

plaid button up www.UrbanOutfitter.com

Available at Urban Outfitters

Bullhead skinny Jeans

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

shop.pacsun.com

The must-haves of this season

corduroy pants

Available at Vans

Available at Urban Outfitters

Nike Golden Vandal High

giraffe print tote

Available at Journeys

Available at Forever 21

www.kicksonfire.com

Girls’ Tops

Latest Accessories

The perfect top makes the perfect outfit right. This season vintage tops are in, such as vests, tunic vests, cardigans, t-shirt dresses, sweater dresses, blouses, and plaid jackets. Anything that is simple with patterns is a necessity to look chic in this chilly weather.

For both boys and girls accessories have always completed any outfit. The latest accessories are vintage inspired pieces which include summer scarves, long necklaces, RayBan sunglasses, aviators, beanies, and berets.

tunic vests

Air Jordans Available at Foot Action USA

www.hottopic.com

Ritz sunglasses

Available at B&P

Available at Urban Outfitters

cardigans

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

www.nordstrom.com

Available at Urban Outfitters

Guys’ Tops

Available at Hot Topic Americanapparel.net

gold chain

Tops top any outfit. Don’t be jealous boys – guys can wear the hot patterns of the season on hoodies, t-shirts, and long-sleeved shirts. Vintage looks are also in for guys, including vests, cardigans, and plaid jackets.

shop.pacsun.com

crotchet Beret Americanapparel.net

Skin

Available at Urban Outfitters

Acne & hair have always been both boys’ and girls’ greatest insecurities. Here are some products that will rid of that unwanted acne:

Vans hoodies

Neutrogena Wave

Available at Vans

Available at any pharmacy

Volcom long sleeve www.UrbanOutfitters.com

Girls’ Pants

shop.vans.com

“Shawty got them apple bottom jeans... Boots with them fur. / With the fur. / The whole club was looking at her… AYYE!” – “Low” by FloRida. Amazing pants are available this year. The latest trends include leggings, leather leggings, skinny jeans, neon colored skinny jeans, and skinny jeans with patterns on them.

harveynichols.com

Available at Nordstrom

gauze vests

Neutrogena Acne Wash

Available at H&M

www.popgadget.net ciao.com

The Places to Get the Looks

Americanapparel.net

print leggings Available at American Apparel

leather leggings

Americanapparel.net

Available at American Apparel

Bullhead skinny jeans Available at PacSun

Mario Badesceu Drying Lotion

Available at PacSun

shop.pacsun.com

Straight from Californian boardwalks comes the simplicity of American Apparel. At the heart of California’s lifestyle is L.A., which is “all out,” but just downtown from there, simple yet statementmaking clothes are being designed. American Apparel is known for their wide varieties of color palettes in “chill” styles ranging from t-shirts,

Available at any pharmacy

denim, and leggings to athletic wear, glasses, sunglasses, and accessories. The nearest American Apparel is at Garden State Plaza. Straight from the roots of vintage: Ireland inspired clothing is back and better than ever in Urban Outfitters, the vintage inspired store. Urban Outfitters keeps the cool vintage look in a modern style, which makes it cute and wearable. The nearest Urban Outfitters is at Garden State Plaza.

December 2008

PERISCOPE | FUN STOP

Halloween Happenings Photography by: Brittany Dore, Jaynee Flores, & Laura Fullam, juniors

Page 11

Halloween Costumes By: Caitlyn Kohlhase, senior

DHS students and faculty prove that Halloween is not just for kids.

Horoscopes By: Zamena Dhanji, junior

Aries (March 21-April 19): A leadership role will appear in reach for you at school soon; take a chance and seek that position. You will feel bold, and, now that you are keeping up with schoolwork, you will be setting an example for your peers and getting ahead in the long run. Taurus (April 20-May 20): You have been busy and social lately; you have events to attend soon so keep your phone charged and try to keep your calendar updated so you don’t overbook yourself. You might be really busy but it is better than doing nothing. Gemini (May 21-June 21): You feel rebellious when your parents start to order you around. Use your feelings for good and do things that show you can be counted on; they’ll ease up eventually and you will feel more responsible. Cancer (June 22-July 22): The holidays are right around the corner:

spend more time with your family, reminisce about old memories, and celebrate the traditions you love. Stronger connections are always made at this time of year. Leo (July 23-August 22): You don’t take criticism well, and sometimes you do not always get things your way. Stop judging yourself so harshly and remember what is important: doing well in school or at work, which can actually up your spirits. Also, remember that your friends are always there and ready to give advice. Virgo (August 23September 22): Try and focus on your health more. Eating better foods, exercising, and getting more rest are great ways to rebuild your stamina, and doing these things with a friend can always make it easier. Libra (September 23October 22): You are not really liking your

job right now or maybe you are just looking for a job; don’t get stuck with something you dislike. Find something that you can handle and are compatible with. After all, it is something you choose, so make it worthwhile. Scorpio (October 23-November 21): Things have not been so great for you; you are either not doing well in school or you are feeling tension with people around you. Take a break from it all and keep yourself relaxed: take a walk or do something artistic. When you feel good about yourself, it is more difficult for things or people to bring down your mood. Sagittarius (November 22December 21): Last month was tight but soon enough you will be getting an unexpected load of cash. Do not let that get to your head. Save some but also spend some on whatever you have had your eye on lately. Your birthday is coming up; plan something fun with your friends.

What is the first thing that you think of when you hear “Halloween?” Most people would say costumes, trick-or-treating, candy, or decorations. When I hear “Halloween,” all I think of is what people will be wearing this year, but I don’t mean it in a good way. Now-a-days, costumes are getting out of hand. First, they are way too expensive for an outfit made of such cheap material that is going to be worn once – maybe twice. When asking students about what they were going to be, a handful had said they were not dressing up because they do not have the money to. Second, most of the costumes sold for Halloween are very questionable. A few female students I talked to said they were not going to dress up because the costumes sold are way too revealing. This is the biggest concern of DHS faculty on Halloween: what is appropriate and what is not. Every year, students get into trouble for wearing overly revealing costumes, such as short skirts, exposing cleavage, and having inappropriate props to go with costumes, such as fake weapons. When I talked to a senior student, who wishes to remain anonymous, she said, “Halloween lost its meaning since we were young. It’s no longer about how much candy you get or who looks the cutest. It’s now about who has the shortest skirt or most revealing outfit. It’s really sad how it has changed.”

C a p r i c o r n (December 22January 19): You feel a little insecure and out of touch, but do not let it get the best of you. Some quality time spent with friends and keeping your mind open will help you come out of this strange phase. Aquarius (January 20-February 18): Lately, you have been keeping your mouth shut about something that has been bothering you. Sometimes it is not good to lock everything in. Do not pretend to go along with something if the truth should be declared. Pisces (February 19-March 20): Your hard work is coming to an end. People are noticing your talents and if they really like what they see, they will help you accomplish that important goal you have been working towards.

Page 12

December 2008

PERISCOPE | DHS SPORTS

Fall Sports The 2008 Varsity Volleyball team, under the direction of Head Coach Jamie Kipp, is in the midst of a very impressive season. The squad qualified for the Bergen County Tournament as well as the State Tournament. The squad completed its league schedule with a record of 14 wins and only 4 losses, and has an overall record of 18 wins and 6 losses The JV Volleyball team, coached by Ron VanBuren, had another wonderful season. Their final record was 13 wins and 6 losses. The future looks bright for volleyball next season. The Frosh Volleyball Team has had much improvement over the course of this season. Their league record was 6 wins and 10 losses, and the overall record was 10 wins and 13 losses. The Varsity Football Team, under the direction of first year Head Coach A.J. Wells, has been competitive all year. The team had 3 wins and 5 losses entering the state tournament consolation game on November 14th against Pascack Hills High School. The team will also be playing their last league game against Tenafly on

Thanksgiving morning. Good luck to the Huskies! The JV Football Team, coached by Bill Fitzgerald and Mike Weber, compiled a record of two wins and five losses. The team finished strong, as several of their players were freshmen. The Frosh Football Team ended its season with a record of 5 wins and 3 losses. According to longtime coach Todd Minimi, this team recorded more wins than any team in a very long while. The Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team, under first year coach Chuck Hogan, had a record of 6 wins, 8 losses, and 3 ties. The team was young and learned much during the season. T h e Boys’ JV Soccer Team had a record of 7 wins and 7 losses. The team was coached by Marc Ferrara. The Boys’ Freshman Soccer Team ended their season with a record of 1 win, 8 losses, and 1 tie. The Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team, under the guidance of first year coach Stacey Del’Re, had a very respectable year in which they qualified for the Bergen County Tournament as well as the State Tournament. Their final record of 8 wins, 10 losses and 1 tie doesn’t reflect how well they

Crossword Puzzle

The Turf Field played this year: their final loss in the states to the powerful Glen Rock team was by the score of one to nothing. The Girls’ JV Soccer Team, led by first year coach Sofia Capparelli, ended their season with a record of 9 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie. This is a good sign for the future of the soccer program at DHS. The Girls’ Freshman Soccer Team was 3 and 3 under the direction of Megan Moran. These players should add to the depth of next year’s upper level teams. The Boys’ Varsity Cross Country Team, under the direction of coaches Jon Bennett and Tom Montuori, has tied for fourth place in the BCSL American LeagueChampionship meet held at Darlington Park. They finished in 12th place in the State Sectional Meet on November 8th at Garrett Mountain. The Girls’ Varsity Cross Country Team, also coached by Jon Bennett and Tom Montuori, participated in the League Championships and the State Sectional meet., finishing seventh and fourteenth, respectively.

By: Nicole Dargis, sophomore

At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year here at DHS, athletes were given a brand new turf field, replacing the beaten up grass field. For students involved in football, soccer, track, crosscountry, cheerleading, having this field is a lot better than having to endure the field conditions previous years. The turf field was put down over the summer and at the beginning of the school year. For the first time, Dumont has a field that will not flood, get extremely muddy, or get completely destroyed by the weather. The turf provides a synthetic grass surface that won’t get ruined for the athletes. Having a turf field is much better for DHS’ athletes. With the new field came new lights, so athletes are able to have late games now. Fewer games will be called off for inclement weather that would have damaged the track and field. For this year, and the years to come, DHS athletes now have a professional surface to practice, play, and celebrate their victories on.

The Periscope Staff Editor-in-Chief:

By: Michelle Decepida, senior

Christina Zikos

Copy Editor: Kaitlyn Plinio

Graphics Editor: Jessabeth Nuñez

Staff: Natasha Carlos, Cassandra Conlan, Nicole Dargis, Kristelle De Castro, Michelle Decepida, Zamena Dhanji, Keri DiGirolamo, Rebecca Dunne, Stephanie Eisemann, Jaynee Flores, Jennifer Forde, Shanelle Gonzales, Michele Herman, Juli Hidirsah, Caitlyn Kohlhase, Paulina Luong, Edgar Mariano, Stephanie Martin, Milcia Pena, Tameh Rohani, Annie Smith, Deborah Stack, Jellirica Tan, & 1. the current Vice President of the United States of America 2. actor that plays a debonair agent in an upcoming film 3. author that wrote the hit series about a vampire and the person he holds most dear 4. Major League Baseball Team that won the 2008 World Series 5. name of building used for the Olympics held in Beijing, China 6. fervent supporter of the current President of the United States (female) 7. author of the epic poem Paradise Lost 8. actress co-starring in upcoming film “Revolutionary Road” with Leonardo DiCaprio 9. recently deceased author of “Jurassic Park” 10. hit teen movie that stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

11. popular Nickelodeon show back in the 90’s that featured adventurous babies that always caused trouble 12. infamous character affiliated with Nintendo 13. name of the project of Saudi Prince and billionaire Al-Waleed bin Tala to build the world’s tallest building 14. leader of North Korea 15. Canadian duo that managed to pull a prank on Sarah Palin 16. new NBC comedy series written by Emmy winner Tina Fey 17. Academy Award winner that has recently suffered losing three close relatives in a shooting in Chicago 18. country that most recently opened a National Tsunami Warning Center 19. food that has caused a safety scare in China

Roselyn Thalathara

Artists: Brittany Dore (photographer), Laura Fullam (photographer), Jaynee Flores, Chae Ri Lim, Christopher Murray, & Ace Joslyn Li Puma

Advisors: Mrs. M. Glaser & Ms. R. Babashak