Volume 5 Issue 16

TO THE COMMUNITIES OF STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TRIBECA, AND BATTERY PARK CITY

The Stuyvesant Standard “Your School, Your World—Your News”  “Your School, Your World—Your News” 

Volume V, Issue 16

Free

April 26, 2006

Dear Spectator and the entire Stuyvesant Community: Re: The need for school wide harmony In recent weeks, there have been aggressive acts committed by The Spectator and directed towards The Stuyvesant Standard. At the Open House for incoming students, The Spectator took copies of our newspaper and put cross-outs all over the front cover and hung them up. Then, they had people stand in front of The Standard’s table to shout for their own paper. A few weeks later, we decided to hold recruitments. We hung posters and signs around the school. However, these posters were torn down and written on. For example, one large poster placed near the two to four escalator had the word, “Standard,” crossed out and the word, “joke,” was written underneath. Also, between 5th and 9th period five signs within two floors of each other disappeared. Next, when The Spectator held recruitments, they mocked The Standard on their recruitment posters, with slogans such as, “Standard getting you down / Tired of the Standard? Join a Real Newspaper,” and “Stuyvesant’s only official newspaper.” Throughout all these attacks on us, we have acted with the utmost politeness and have not retaliated. However, these attacks have reached a point where we feel an end must be reached. The Standard understands that it and The Spectator sometimes cover the same news. Nevertheless, this does not mean there should be conflict. Each paper has its own individual aim. The Spectator concentrates on Stuyvesant High School, while The Standard covers school events, but also focuses on out of school events and servicing the local community. Moreover, Stuyvesant High School is a large and diverse school that can and does support many sports and academic teams, as well as many clubs. Why, then, can it not support two newspapers? Stuyvesant High School needs harmony, and with two rival newspapers, this will never be accomplished. To solve this issue, The Standard asks that The Spectator stops its attacks against us. We also believe its staff members, and especially its editors should concentrate on their own newspaper instead of mocking others. Most importantly, we ask to be treated with politeness. In the future, The Standard and The Spectator should be able to work on joint articles or projects. As for the school body, we ask that there be stricter rules regarding posters, so that no posters are negative towards other student groups. We also believe that there should be guidelines set so that students cannot remove other students’ posters and signs. Only healthy competition can lead to a better situation in the end. This will lead to a harmonious setting at Stuyvesant High School, which will better the community as a whole.

Arista Elections: Results of Hard Campaigning BY ANNA GINZBURG STAFF WRITER On Wednesday, April 12, the annual Arista elections were held for positions on the Arista Executive Committee. It was the first full meeting for the inductee members. All week, students noticed the neon green, pink, orange and yellow signs adorned with things such as “vote Kat and Fish,” “vote Anna and Maria,” “vote John and Sonny,” or even the giant “i” which reminded Arista members to vote for Iris Wong. These posters were hung up by the candidates who had been cho-

sen by the executive council before the elections. These nineteen hopeful students had three days to campaign for the six available positions. The elections were a muchawaited day for those running. Some members chose to sleep through the elections while others listened attentively to what the candidates had to say. Each candidate for Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Tutoring, Vice President of Service Events, and Junior Representative had three minutes to make a speech. Each position Continued on Page 5

Immigration Causes A Stir BY SYLVIA ABDULLAH STAFF WRITER Democratic Representative Hilda Solis of California claims that “the Republican Party has steadily built up its assault on

immigrants.” This statement reflects a bill that the House of Representatives passed in December 2005 called HR 4437 that gave criminal status to illegal immigrants. Sponsored by RepreContinued on Page 5

- The Stuyvesant Standard Executive Leadership Team

Newsday Photo/ Moises Saman

Protestors march through New York City as they rally in opposition to a proposed immigration bill.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE -------------Dedications for Ms. Beiring are on page 8

News...........................2-7 Business......................9-10 Opinions.....................9-11 Literary.......................11-12

Puzzles..............................12 Science……………….......13-15 Arts & Entertainment........15-18 Sports................................18-20

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD  Founded 2001

      “Your School, Your World—Your News” 

Executive Leadership Team FACULTY ADVISER EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LAYOUT EDITOR COPY CHIEF NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR ACTING OPINIONS EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SCIENCE EDITOR BUSINESS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR WEBMASTER ACTING WEBMASTER DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM ACTING DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM FOUNDER EDITOR EMERITUS

French Withdraws Disputed Labor Laws BY SANGHEE CHUNG STAFF WRITER On April 10, the French government withdrew the disputed youth labor law due to public opposition and demonstrations. The job contract “is dead and buried,” said Jean-Claude Mailly of the Workers Force union. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin stated that the law was a means of liberating and modernizing France’s slow labor market. It was proposed to help employers hire young workers on a trial basis. He sought a “better balance between more flexibility for the employer and more security for workers.” However, companies

were allowed to fire young workers without reason within two years of employment. The law was cancelled by President Jacques Chirac to end weeks of major protests and strikes. The protests shut down schools, hurt the economy, and caused violence among citizens. “Under the proposal of the prime minister and after having heard the presidents of the parliamentary groups and the officials of the parliamentary majority, the president of the Republic has decided to replace Article 8 of the law on equality of opportunities by a mechanism in favor of the professional integration of young Continued on Page 4 AP/Peter Dejong

DR. JOHN NIKOL JENNIFER SCHLESINGER DEREK WENG KHOI NGUYEN FANNY TANG DANNY ZHU JIMMY ZHANG PRISCILLA MELO DEREK WENG EMMA RABINOVICH ERIC MAYO JOSEPH KRUTOV HANFORD CHIU LADA KUKUY HENRY ZHANG DANNY ZHU HENRY ZHANG BENNETT HONG DANIEL EGERS (‘03) ERNEST BASKIN (‘04)

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Publication THE STUYVESANT STANDARD is a nonprofit and nonpartisan publication produced by the students of Stuyvesant High School. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD distributes 2,000 free copies on a bi-weekly basis to the students and faculty of Stuyvesant High School and throughout the adjoining neighborhoods of TriBeCa and Battery Park City. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD welcomes letters from its readers. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD reserves the right to edit any published material. The viewpoints of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Standard staff. Copyright ©2006 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Contact Us Please direct all correspondence to: THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 345 Chambers Street New York, NY 10282-1000 [email protected] Find us on the web at www.stuystandard.org

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French police form a line opposite youths during a demonstration in Paris.

The Bar: The New Fad BY ARTHUR WEI, JESSE ZHANG, MOHAMMED CHOWDHURY GUEST WRITERS There was Xanga, MySpace, and Sconex, but here comes something much more: The Bar. The Bar is a place for high school students to hang out, right from home. The Bar is not just fun, it is functional. The main site has many features, with more coming every day. What makes The Bar different from Xanga, MySpace, and Sconex is that The Bar is there for students, changed for students, and made by students.

The Bar started out as a dream of Baccalaureate School for Global Education (BSGE) student Mike Ursu. The idea was introduced to Jesse Zhang by Arthur Wei, two Stuyvesant freshmen. Zhang made the dream a reality about a month and a half ago. Since then, The Bar has grown to over 80 users and over 5000 forum posts. The Bar’s main site was designed by Zhang. It contains a calendar, an article section, a picture book, a phonebook, and even Continued on Page 5

Last Issue’s Corrections • Lawrence Huang’s name was misspelled. • In Issue 12, “The World Celebrates the 2006 Torino Olympics” actress Sophia Loren’s name was misspelled. It was also implied that Loren and Sarandon were the only two flag bearers, when in actuality, there were eight.

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

New Yorkers Are Forced to Be Polite BY STEPHANIE SHEN STAFF WRITER

toward New York as an example. When Wrigley Field was full of rowdy fans, Chicago followed Yankee and Shea Stadiums in arresting fans that interfered illegally with professional sports events. When Boston and San

building owners responsible for cleanup. This onslaught of politeness regulations has come from the drops in crime, allowing New York to focus on the normal public’s behavior. Now, innocent

Ask an outsider to describe New Yorkers and it’s very likely that the first words would be “rude,” “rude,” and “rude.” New Yorkers have been known to throw things onto Yankee A new $50 fine is being imposed for resting your feet on subway seats. Stadium’s fields when the Red Sox play. They are known to boo their own mayor at public functions. They are known to push, shove, and curse in subway cars, and would sooner push you out of the car than look at you. So what? This is New York; what can be done? M a yo r M i c h a e l R . Bloomberg placed fines to force people to be polite, or at least somewhat civil. New York City is currently being praised for its new rules, laws blunders can risk a fine. In a Francisco lawmakers faced cell and most importantly, fines on city where “most people just seem phones in theaters, they followed personal conduct. These new to ignore common sense and comNew York’s $50 fine on calls regulations span from restrictions mon courtesy” according to Letiduring movies, concerts and on sports fans to restrictions on tia Baldrige, the former White shows. When cities nationwide car alarms to subway etiquette. House social secretary, “it does are covered in graffiti, they look Now other states are looking have to be legislated.” toward New York’s law making

Source Unknown

Big Sibs cel. This large, independent organization is sponsored by the Student Union. Each year, a Big In late August or early SepSib Handbook is compiled and tember, new students arrive at sold. Freshmen who receive this Stuyvesant for their orientation. handbook will come to know very There, they meet the seniors and useful information, such as good juniors who will guide them for a places to eat and which teachers year. These upperclassmen are are nice. known as Big Sibs, Stuyvesant’s There is quite some competiunique peer mentors. At the orition involved with being chosen entation, the Big Sibs invite the to be a Big Sib. Last year, almost new students to participate in fun 500 students applied for only 150 events and activities designed spots. Although it is tough to be especially for their arrival. selected as a Big Sib, most Big Stuyvesant’s Big Sibling proSibs enjoy their role in the Stuygram, whose members are simply vesant community. “It was really known as “Big Sibs,” is a chance nice meeting them [Little Sibs],” for junsaid Naiors and a seniors to "Last year, almost 500 students than, junior Big interact applied for only one 150 spots." S i b . with new “The y’re students. really full of energy. They remind It is an organization of about 150 me of me when I was at their upperclassmen who serve as surgrade.” However, not everybody rogate siblings to incoming stuthinks being a Big Sib would be dents. Each freshman is assigned fun at all. According to an anonya Big Sib who will be available as mous freshman, “My Big Sib a buddy and advisor. They are wasn’t really doing much. All he present at all orientations and just did in homeroom was sit around.” about every other school event. It Junior Jessie Li said, “I’m not is encouraged to go to a Big Sib very interested in being a Big Sib. for help about student life or anyI wasn’t that fond of them during thing about Stuyvesant in general freshman year.” as they should be ready to answer Despite what they said, one any questions and help incoming should not be discouraged from students in any way possible. applying to be a Big Sib. After Their purpose is to make themall, to be a Big Sib is a privilege. selves available to incoming stu◙ dents and encourage them to ex-

BY LAWRENCE HUANG STAFF WRITER

However, not all people are applauding these changes, especially when a $50 fine appears for putting up one’s feet in a completely empty subway car. Regardless, Mayor Bloomberg continues to push forward with smoking bans, noise codes for nightclubs, dogs and ice cream trucks, and various attempts at coaxing out that nice, polite, civil part hopefully present in all New Yorkers. Bloomberg’s politeness spree has spread to include the banning of young children from theaters after 10 p.m. and the mandating of anger management classes for the omnipresent overenthusiastic and overcompetitive sports parents. Varying opinions are given on Bloomberg’s decisions, as Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute, put it, “Instead of people quietly putting up with rude behavior, they’re finally saying, ‘I don’t have to put up with that anymore.’” ◙

Club Spotlight: Stuycourt lawyers, evidence, and sometimes jurors (depending on whether a judge trial or a jury trial is being One of the less-known clubs held). Standard rules of law are of Stuyvesant High School is Cefollowed; lawyers examine and lebrity Court, better known as cross-examine witnesses, object, Stuycourt by its members. and make opening and closing Headed by co-presidents Yana speeches. Members take turns Gontcharova and Emma Rabinoholding various positions in the vich, sophomores, the club was trials. The only position which originally supposed to hold mock may not be held by an average trials for celebrities who may or member, and which must be held may not have broken the law; b y M a r t h a someone Stewart and This club is great for anyone who f r o m Michael Stuyis considering a career in law, Jackson court’s were the who wants to get practice in de- s e c r e inspiration bate skills, or who wants to know tariat, is for this idea. the posimore about law in general. However, tion of the trials judge. This gives the secretariat held by the club soon covered a some control over the proceedings variety of other topics, such as the of the meeting, and it helps StuySalem Witch trials, the Monkey court recreate a real courtroom Trials, and the McDonald’s hot experience. coffee trial; the name “Celebrity Still in its first year of operaCourt” no longer seemed approtion, Stuycourt holds meetings priate, so the club was unoffionce a month. The meetings are cially dubbed “Stuycourt”. sparse, which keeps the club from This club is great for anyone becoming a strain on anyone’s who is considering a career in time, and it gives the presidents law, who wants to get practice in time to prepare spectacular meetdebate skills, or who wants to ings. Anyone who wishes to know more about law in general. know more about the club may During a trial, the club has a send an e-mail to judge, witnesses, a defendant, [email protected]. ◙ BY YANA GONTCHAROVA STAFF WRITER

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Pascu teaches five classes of sophomore math: three regular classes and two honors classes. She emulates the styles of previ“I didn’t think a Techie could be ous teachers in her life for teachthis happy at Stuy,” she admits. ing math, including Mr. ZimmerEven though she comes from a man. According to her, teaching math is m o s t l y a b o u t pointing people in the right direction. Pascu’s students seem to have only good things to say about her. She is extremely friendly, open and Quick Profile c a r i n g Name: Oana Pascu Favorite Food: Pizza (No a b o u t Subjects taught: Sophoteaching Toppings) math. “It’s more Math (MQ6, MQ6H) pleasant to see how much she enjoys what rival school, she still thinks that she does,” says Mariya Morgaylo, Stuyvesant is fantastic. She says one of her sophomore students. the people around her have been “Some people say her tests are welcoming, helpful and supporhard, but she’s lenient tive, and the kids are fantastic.

Meet Ms. Pascu! BY TIM CHANG COLUMNIST Running back and forth between room 435 and the math research room with her overstuffed Delaney book, Oana Pascu is usually all but inconspicuous in going about her day. Born in Bucharest, Romania, she came to the United States when she was 13. Ever since Pascu was a child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her mother was a teacher, and whenever her school was cancelled, she went to her mother’s school. Pascu spent her high school years in the city, and went to Brooklyn Technical High School. There, the connection between the “math” and “teacher” aspects of her career clicked. Her favorite math teacher, Mr. Zimmerman, sparked her interest in math. She has a hard time describing just how cool math is, but “literally amazing” seemed to sum it up. Ever since graduating from Princeton, she has been working as a student teacher and substitute teacher around the city. This year is her first year of full-time teaching. How does she like it here?

French Withdraws Disputed Labor Laws with plentiful careers. Companies employing permanent young people in difficulty,” the commuworkers would receive tax breaks, niqué said. Students and unions which would be financed by an decided to take to the streets to increase in the tobacco tax. Howcelebrate the repeal. ever, many vowed to continue “We are very satisfied,” said protesting until the law was comtrade-union leader Jacques pletely abolVoisin. He beished. lieved the deci“This is an unsion “is a very questionable good thing that retreat,” said points in the Socialist Party right direction.” leader François Medef, France’s Hollande. “It is largest business a grand success association, for the young hoped the withand an impresdrawal “marks sive victory for the end of a crithe unity of the sis that dented unions.” Howthe credibility of ever, the Socialour country.” ists have no “The debate plan to restore is now open and the labor market we must not or to reduce close it,” said unemPrime Minister A demonstrator shows a poster of a youth ployment. De Villepin. “I gagged Mona Lisa. Business leadpropose a diaers have also raised concerns logue without preconditions.” A about France’s damaged econmuch weaker replacement law omy; the damage from the crisis was proposed to the Parliament. It is estimated at $180 million. They called for the encouraging the also scorned the government’s hiring of young workers and the handling of the conflict. ◙ guiding of job seekers to areas Continued from Page 2

AP Photo/Francois Mori

[concerning] extra credit.” Pascu’s cheerful personality has left an impression on other students as well. Allison Tran, one of her sophomore honors students, said, “Well, it is ninth period and most of us don't really sleep for more than five hours [,so] if she notices that our class is rather tired she will buy us all candy.” Being a hard-working and dedicated math teacher must take up a lot of time, yet Pascu still has plenty of time for leisure. One of her favorite pastimes is skiing. Her favorite food is pizza. She doesn’t like toppings, and the plain triangle cut is her favorite. To her, shopping is more than a pastime; it is a necessity. How often does she go? “As often as I can,” she giggles. “Shopping is something a girl just has to do.” Almost a high school girl herself in spirit, Pascu is definitely a teacher to whom students can relate. ◙

If you know a teacher you would like to see profiled and read about, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject line “Teacher.” Thank you!

The Club/Pub Fair Spring 2006 BY DAVID YIN STAFF WRITER The spring Club Pub Fair took place after school on April 10 in the dining hall. Students attended the fair, looking for new clubs to join. The Club Pub Fair gave students a chance to be a part of the Stuyvesant community, and to learn about the diverse clubs of Stuyvesant. Many different clubs were present, trying to recruit new

members. The DDR Club had two televisions, both of which had the popular game Dance Dance Revolution running. The Chinese Pop Culture Club members were watching Chinese music videos. The Robotics Club displayed a robot that they had built. The Badminton Club had its members play badminton. Sophomore Samuel Crisanto said, “It was cool. I got to play badminton and DDR.” Continued on Page 7

The Chinese Pop Culture Club enjoying a movie at the Club Pub Fair. TSS/Bennett Hong

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Immigration Causes A Stir Continued from Page 1

sentative James Sensenbrenner, this bill makes it a felony to be in the United States illegally or to assist an illegal immigrant in any way. Employers would be forced to verify that all their employees were living in the United States legally. In addition, the bill supports government funding for a wall to be built along the Mexican-American border. President Bush recently called for reforms to this bill. These suggested reforms included a guest worker program, and arrangements that would allow 12,000 illegal immigrants opportunities to gain citizenship. This legislation had the support of vast numbers of immigrant groups around the country. However,

these ideas failed to be passed through t h e S e n ate , facing fierce opposit i o n f r o m conservative memb e r s lobb ying for stricter immigration regulations. As of now, HR 4437 is still

The Bar: The New Fad Continued from Page 2

a games section. The games section is like the FlashPlayer website. Most of the games were taken from FlashPlayer, but two were made by Zhang himself. However, members hope it will expand with the help of a few knowledgeable Stuyvesant students who know how to use Flash and other programming languages. The picture book is basically a photo album, which everyone can view and upload to. These pictures must first be approved by an administrator or a moderator to make A banner of The Bar. sure there isn’t anything wrong with them. The phonebook is a way for members to keep in touch with each other on the Internet. Apart from the main site, The Bar has something much greater for members’ pleasure: the forums. The forums are a means of communication for the members. They are organized into different forums, i n c l u d i n g “Introductions/ F a r e w e l l s , ” “ G e n e r a l , ” “Comed y,” and “Videogames.” There i s a l s o a “Suggestions” forum, where members can suggest how to improve the site, or www.thehsbar.com

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

make a complaint. The “Problems” section is a place where members can seek the help of their peers in coping with reallife problems. Many students will find the “Problems” section very helpful. There is also a “School” section where members help each other with homework, or to prepare for a test. There are many other fun and helpful sections. The current members of The Bar love it. In addition to the site itself, The Bar h o l d s tournaments for its members to participate in. A recent Marvel vs. Capcom tournament ended with the winner being Simon Hu, a Stuyvesant sophomore. In addition to that, a Rap-Off and a Counter-Strike: Source tournament were held. There are also many mini-events and chances to win awards,

being considered by the Senate, but has already caused immense commotion across the country, especially during the last month. Thousands of people have walked in protests in cities around the country, including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. On March 30 a 14-yearold Ontario student named A n t h o n y Soltero shot himself with his father’s rifle after his Assistant Principal told him that participation in further protests against the new

immigration policies could send him to jail. This incident caused even more anguish among the immigrant community. Many immigrants currently living in this country say that they and others like them came to this country in search of the “American Dream.” They came here for the opportunities the United States has to offer, sacrificing their families and homes in the process. Still others feel outraged that immigrants are treated like criminals in a country to which they have contributed so much. Senators Gloria Romero and Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles propose participation in a national boycott on May 1, suggesting that a “day without immigrants” will impress upon the nation just how important immigrants are in our economy and in our everyday lives. ◙

though the Awards amount to nothing but bragging rights. “The Bar’s pretty sweet because of their cool and friendly people here. I have a great time here. I’ve been on every day since I joined, with 1000 posts, it’s a great place to meet new people and expand our social horizons,” said Danny Alvarez, freshman from BSGE. “The Bar has one thing over all forums, a value for sugges-

tions. When you don’t like something or think there should be one more thing to make The Bar perfect, suggest it. We have a whole section dedicated to this. Once I see your post, I’ll work on it. It could be as easy as a typo to as difficult as a notebook for members, I’ll make it, we’ll all enjoy it,” says Zhang. The Bar can be found at http://www.thehsbar.com. ◙

Arista Elections: Results of Hard Campaigning Continued from Page 1

had three candidates except Vice President of Service Events, which had four. The candidates for the positions of President and Executive Vice President had five minutes for the speech since both members had to participate. On the whole, candidates found creative ways to attract voters, from asking a teacher to say a few words to making a few lame jokes. Candidates worked hard for their votes. Unfortunately, not everybody can win, and when the results were sent via email on Thursday, April 13, the losers were disappointed. How-

ever, the victors were joyous. The new Arista Executive Council for 2006-2007 consists of Johnathan Khusid as President, Sonny Kung as Executive Vice President, Cindy Huang as Vice President of Administration, Victor Wong as Vice President of Tutoring, Megan Nesbeth as Vice President of Service Events, and Hua Szu Yang as Junior Representative. Most Arista members believe this year’s Executive Council will accomplish great deeds. ◙

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD TSS/Bennett Hong

Pie-A-Teacher!

TSS/Ada Zhang

On April 11, students gathered after 10th period in the cafeteria for the Pie-A-Teacher event, hosted by Building With Books. The event cost fifty cents to watch. However, students were able to purchase raffle tickets for one dollar for the chance to pie Ms. Alcott, Mr. Dreyfus, Mr. Novikoff, Mr. Rubinstein, Mr. Sunkara, Mr. Stern, and Mr. Weil.

TSS/Bennett Hong

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

April 26, 2006 NEWS

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The Club/Pub Fair Spring 2006 Continued from Page 4

Still, there were many clubs that were trying the traditional way of attracting attention, shouting. There was a huge racket in the cafeteria as club members were shouting out and telling people to join their club. The many students, both club members and students who were there to look around, enjoyed the fair. Kenneth Lam, a sophomore who was helping recruit people for the Stock Market Game club, said, “It was an incredible experience. I usually never get the chance to shout out for [the Stock Market Game Club] like I did at the Club Pub Fair.” Although there were many students and clubs participating in this club/pub fair, it seemed relatively tame compared to the fair at the beginning of the year. There were fewer students at this fair than the vast numbers that showed up for the fall Club Pub Fair. Fewer clubs appeared as

well. Some found it useless for people to join so late in the year. Simon Hu, the president of the Stock Market Game club, said, “The Club Pub Fair wasn’t that successful. There weren’t a lot of people there and the stock market game is going to end soon. There’s no reason to recruit students now. The year’s almost over.” Whether or not the club members enjoyed staying at the fair, the clubs were able to sign up many people; Hu was able to sign up 7 people. However, he does not plan on signing them up unless they are going to be active in the club. This is true for other clubs too. Many people sign up in the Club Pub Fair, and yet they never attend a meeting. Still, the Club Pub Fair is a great way for students to join clubs that they are interested in. ◙

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April 26, 2006 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Wxw|vtà|ÉÇá àÉ `áA U|xÜ|Çz I thought that I could write something touching, something that would be meaningful, that would tell people something about Ms. Biering and who she was and what she was, but I’m coming up blank. All I can think of are stories, short anecdotes, and so I’m hoping that they’ll be enough. Ms. Biering was the sort of teacher who, if you came into her class crying, or even just looking upset or down, would immediately come over to you and try to find out what was wrong, just to try to make you feel better. Once, I nearly fainted in class on the day of a test because I hadn’t eaten and was feeling really stressed. She put the whole class on the honor system while she went to the staff room to get me something to eat, and she let me put off taking the test until the next day. That’s what Ms. Biering was: a teacher who really cared about her students as people, not just as numbers. Another time, she wanted to show us what dry ice was, so she picked up the fire extinguisher and sprayed it all over the room, not realizing that the fire extinguisher contained not dry ice, but chalk dust. We had to have the rest of our class in the hallway that day. Ms. Biering always used to talk to us about things like sex, cheese, and manners in Denmark. She taught me almost everything I know about those three things. She taught me that in Denmark, you always tip the soup bowl towards you because that way, if you spill the soup, it goes on you and not on the tablecloth. She taught me that it’s impolite to bring food to a party in Denmark, because that’s like saying that the host is too rude to supply enough food. People used to complain that she went off on tangents, that she didn’t teach, but when she set her mind to it, she really was a great teacher, and definitely one of the more interesting people at Stuyvesant. That’s what Ms. Biering was: someone who genuinely enjoyed learning and wanted to share what she knew with everyone, whether it was pertinent to the curriculum or not, someone who wanted her students to succeed in life, not just in school, and tried to prepare them accordingly. Once, my friends and I were sitting on the seventh floor, just talking, and Ms. Biering walked over and plopped herself cross-legged on the floor beside us, joining in the conversation just as if she were one of us. That’s what Ms. Biering was: a teacher who wasn’t afraid to be close to her students, to pat them on the arm or even hug them, if she felt like they needed it. Even after I wasn’t in Ms. Biering’s class anymore, she would always come up to me in the hallway and talk, asking me how my classes were going with genuine interest. She always remembered my name, even two years after I was in her class. She was always sick, and so thin that everyone used to make fun of her, but she would often join in the laughter. That’s what Ms. Biering was: not at all self-conscious, willing to laugh at herself. I could continue telling these stories for a long time. Ms. Biering was one of those rare people, a teacher who genuinely cared for her students, who genuinely wanted to be teaching, who enjoyed her job, who never quit even when she was ill. Her loss is a great loss to all of Stuyvesant, a loss not lessened by the fact that this has been a year full of loss, and full of mourning. Wherever she is now, I hope she knows that we will miss her. - Francesca Schiavone, junior

Ms. Biering was definitely not your normal teacher. I had her for Genetics Research last term and she brought a new way of learning into my time at Stuyvesant. Many students who had her for Freshman Biology may have said she was an incompetent teacher, but from my experience in her Genetics class, I thought she was unique. Ms. Biering was one of the most knowledgeable people I ever met. She rarely used the textbook because she had everything in her head, and could recite the smallest detail about a RNA polymerase without hesitation. She expected a lot from of us; some nights she would demand that we do twenty pages of difficult textbook reading write an outline on it. Then, the next day we would be expected to be able to discuss it in class. So in fact, she was a rigorous teacher. I remember lengthy discussions on DNA and mutations, but they rarely got boring because of the side conversations they led to. They would go from biology to politics to philosophy. I always loved these conversations the best, because besides learning genetics and how biology fit into the world, I learned about things I never thought of before, or supported opinions I never would have otherwise. Ms. Biering wasn't just a smart teacher; she was a smart person. She shared her knowledge about almost everything in the world with us, and her opinion along with it. Being so intelligent, opinionated, and experienced, it was not a surprise that she earned respect from a lot of us. Despite her lateness or wild tangents, the seniors in the class who knew her well knew what a great teacher she was, and I eventually found out too. She pushed us to learn not just for facts and grades, but to understand and incorporate knowledge into our lives. I know Ms. Biering was pretty happy with her life — she traveled the world , had a wonderful daughter and grandchild, and had an accomplished teaching career, including Stuyvesant. I hope she left this world contently. Rest in peace. - Richard Mai, sophomore

Stuyvesant High School has its share of interesting and memorable teachers. Ms. Biering was definitely one of them. As a stereotypical scared freshman coming into Stuyvesant two years ago, I had this notion that I would flunk every subject I took. Even though I still kind of failed biology, the course which Ms. Biering taught, it was one of the classes I reminiscence about to this day. When she taught, we would always have some funny days, some boring days, and some hard days, like when we had exams. There was one particular day when I actually taught the class for one day. For those of you who were in my class, you may remember that day when I had to teach the class on cell structure for the whole period as a punishment for not doing homework. I still remember Ms. Biering chuckling and apparently very amused, watching this clueless kid trying to explain how the mitochondria of an animal cell work. Ms. Biering, although your special biology class ended two years ago, I still remember smiling at you whenever we sew each other in the hallway. I can’t believe it’s time for us to say goodbye already. Thank you Ms. Biering for being my teacher, our teacher. - Derek Weng, Managing Editor, Junior

I only had Ms. Biering for a couple of weeks of second term this year, but there are just some things I can’t forget. I remember how everyone told me that taking Genetics was a bad idea because Ms. Biering taught it she would constantly talk about sex. I didn’t really care, so I just took the class. Those few weeks of class, she had broken her wrist or something, so she had a brace on her forearm. She was still all bouncy and hyper, though. And everyone was right. She did talk about sex a lot, but that made the class interesting. Before mid-winter break, she told us that she wanted to go to Florida and visit her daughter, but break was too short to go all the way there, spend some time with her family, and come back. We told her to go, and that she didn’t have to come back so soon. When we came back from break, she wasn’t there. When we found out that she was in the hospital, two people in the class made cards for her. One of them had a few humorous cartoons on it, while the other was the real “Get Well” card. I don’t know if they ever got to her, but I think we all expected her to come back and laugh about it. On the day of her departure, we saw two unfamiliar faces in our room, and we wondered what was happening. We thought we were getting a new teacher, but then Ms. Ashkin came in, so we were confused. Then the announcement came on and none of us really knew what had happened. The PA speakers in our room didn’t work, but we heard something about someone passing away and a moment of silence. It turned out that the two ladies in our room were guidance counselors, here to talk to us about Ms. Biering. It was so quiet in our room, but we ended up working to get our minds off of it. Even though I only had her for a short time, I still have these clear memories of her. It’s a shame that she didn’t finish teaching us what she started. I guess it was a lot easier to accept her death because she hadn’t been here for so long, so it doesn’t seem like she’s gone. Even so, I know she’s going to be missed and remembered as the small lady who talked about sex all the time. - Anonymous

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 BUSINESS/OPINIONS

Hollywood’s “Stupid Girl” Façade: Fools For Cash BY STEPHANIE SHEN STAFF WRITER Lately, American culture hasn’t been giving girls positive role models. Instead, girls are faced with stories glamorizing Celebrity #1’s new Jimmy Choo Shoes or Celebrity #2’s new breast implant. Additionally, corporate America has broadcasted the “dumb blonde” image as cute and lucrative. Pink’s newest single, “Stupid Girls,” lays out these less-than-admirable trends in American culture by criticizing celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton in her music video. However, Pink states, “I don’t think these girls are really stupid, it’s just what works.” Basically, being a fool has become profitable for the young and hip “it-girls” in Hollywood. Gone are the days of the stars standing up for civil rights and real issues. Now, the public sees

Jessica Simpson confusing tuna swer is that they are not idiots. and chicken, and hears Paris’ They act that way for the public, mantra of “That’s hot.” As Pink which prefers seeing the antics of asks, “Where, the “dumb oh where, blondes” h a ve the of Hollysmart people wood over gone?” Well, an intellibeing smart gent conno longer versation brings in the with these big bucks. women. Celebrities When it such as Lindc o m e s say Lohan down to it, have made Paris Hilthemselves ton orating into public on t he fools to be topic of laughed at equal genbecause that der rights is what pays. Pink’s Single, “Stupid Girl’s” from the album I’m is not as e nt e r t a i n How can Not Dead. ing as seeseemingly ing her in lingerie attempt to sing moronic celebrities simply go “Happy Birthday” to Hugh about like idiots and make milHefner. It is all a business front; lions more than an average colthe stars do what they have to do lege-educated person? The anwww.wikipedia.com

MySpace, A Very Popular Place BY HANFORD CHIU BUSINESS EDITOR

myspace.com

Nielsen/Net Ratings, a market research firm, released its figures for web traffic on April 12, for the “Top 8 Web Sites by Brand”. Among them include the usual big companies, such as Yahoo, MSN and AOL. However, new on the list at number eight is MySpace, a large social network of user-created “blogs” that has soared in the past two years from a small upstart to a $580 million

entity. Purchased by News Corporation last year from founder Tom Anderson for that price, MySpace provides millions of users with the ability to create and maintain blogs, with pictures, music and a list of all the people who drop by the blog and become “cyberfriends”. As of March 2006, MySpace is the eighth most popular site in the world, according to Alexa Internet, a subsidiary

MySpace is the 8th most popular site in the world.

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to keep the public’s attention and make a living. For example, after Simpson’s Chicken of the Sea blunder, in which she accidentally thought she was advertising chicken, rather than tuna, sales of the tuna brand went up 10 percent. Now, she and the company are discussing the possibility of her becoming their new spokeswoman. Who laughs last? Among celebrities, being known for being dumb is better than not being known at all. Act foolish for a moment, be a millionaire for a lifetime. “The ditzy blonde thing is endearing to people,” says Simpson. Think Cameron Diaz in “Charlie’s Angels”. Celebrities live off the public’s interest, so they play off this obsession with the stereotyped “dumb blonde”. Next time you’re laughing at Hilton’s limited vocabulary, think who the stupid one really is. It is just business as usual in Hollywood. ◙

Lunchroom Changes: Not So Tasty prisingly enough, however, chocolate milk will remain an option in cafeterias across the Spring is a time of blooming city. This is a complete outrage, flowers, allergies, scanners, sunny considering that the number of afternoons… and new lunch calories in difference between trays? For those of us too lazy to whole milk and skim milk is go out for lunch or simply wish to merely 54, an amount so small sacrifice the time to catch up on that it will homework, hardly make the luncha difference room proin today's vides an society full oasis full of of Hershey noise, to go bars (with with soggy 230 calofries, and ries). polka dot It is up to hamburgparents and ers. Many schools to of us may educate chilhave nodren about ticed some the imporchanges in tance of the menu good nutrithat should tion and the not go by dangers of u n n o t i c e d Cartons of whole milk, considered a junk food, will obesity. as well as be removed from public school lunch menus. Also, stunew plastic trays. dents must make the choice for As of last month, the Board themselves, between skim and of Education decided to comwhole milk. Learning to make pletely remove whole milk from educated choices from an early public school lunch menus, in an age will ensure a healthier popuattempt to halt the growing epidemic of obesity in the city. SurContinued from Page 10

BY GUERGANA BORISSOVA STAFF WRITER

AP

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April 26, 2006 BUSINESS/OPINIONS

MySpace, A Very Popular Place too many features put into one page. Certain code effects are also described as clichéd and unprofessional. Worstofmyspace.com often nominates haphazard and graphically overindulged MySpace pages. One such page featured a frenzy of animated Christian graphics, a repeating

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www.worstofmyspace.com

of Amazon.com. How does a small collection of blogs grow into a social network of more than 50 million people and a multimillion dollar entity? One feature that draws many users is the self-expression and freedom the site gives via

This page, among other pages, have been rated the worst of MySpace.

background of a single scripture, and the music of the Christian rock band Petra. The word “Jesus” trickles down throughout the page, in an effect that is outdated and clichéd. Even so, the essence of MySpace is that it is unprofessional, and thus it draws many teenagers who feed upon self-expression, whether or not they have any skill in coding. ◙

coding. Even unskilled programmers can easily create a background and special effects for their personal blog. Songs and videos can also be coded into the page. Users have areas to put blurbs about themselves, as well as one for visitor comments and friends. However, those features have also led to hostility towards MySpace. The amateur code is often clumsy and inefficient, resulting in long load times and even browser crashes from having

Lunchroom Changes: Not So Tasty and chairs while carrying a plastic plate, a fruit bowl, and a carton of lation, who will be choosing the milk, can be very tricky and unright food even after they gradupleasant, seeing as a few fries can ate from high school. Schools fall here and there. Worsening the have done their job in teaching us matter is if the lunch lady was about the side effects of poor nuhu rr yi n g, trition, the cheese with abunfrom the dance of taco will posters of find its the food way to the pyramid in floor, leavthe cafeteing a yelria and in low trail c l a s s behind for r o o ms . the rodents Now it is that may up to us to wish to take that follow. informaAs students tion and hype over apply it to the scanour meals ners, many inside and fail to see outside of Styrofoam lunch trays have been replaced by more the rapid school, inconvenient plastic plates in the cafeteria, such as c h a n g e s since most the one shown above. occurring students in our cafeteria, a place responsieat one to two lunches at school. ble for providing much of the Another new “modification” student population with food taking place in the lunchroom is daily. In the end, our health and the new plastic trays that are actunutrition is the most important ally less efficient and harder to thing, where today's choices will carry. They look like a plain greatly influence tomorrow's replate, with very small divisors sults. We need to learn to pick our that do not actually separate the fights: the scanners do not affect food. our well-being and are there to in "I like the old ones better fact protect us, while the changes because they have compartments in the lunch menu will certainly and you don't need a separate impact our health, sooner or later. bowl for fruit," said Lena Chen, a ◙ frequent consumer of school lunches. Looking around for a table Continued from Page 9

www.gp.com

No Test Scores Left Behind results of students, when reporting academic progress under categories such as race. The test results of these minority students

Little more than four years ago in 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Law, promising to close the educational achievement gap between “Anglo and minority”. The law called for more accountability and greater opportunity for disadvantaged students. Under the new program, schools would earn bonus funding if the school achieved higher test scores. On the other hand, schools would get reduced funding if it does not fulfill its objectives. This program is a wonderful attempt at education reform. However, its validity is being undermined. According to a report released by the Associated Press, schools have received federal permission to ignore test

are deemed statistically insignificant because there are so few of them in the school. The Associated Press also found that 1.9 mil-

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

BY ALVIS YUEN COLUMNIST

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Approximately 1.9 million children's test scores aren't being counted under the law's required racial categories.

lion students had their test results excluded. Minority students, such as Asian, Native American, Hispanic, and African American kids, were seven times more likely than Caucasian students to have their scores excluded. This loophole must be addressed. If the schools are allowed to cover up their failures, then how are they held accountable? If the schools aren’t doing enough to help disadvantaged students, they would be leaving the kids behind; the schools are cheating these children of an opportunity. Just because there are too few students to be deemed statistically significant does not mean they should be ignored and tossed aside. They’re called a minority for a reason. Every test score in every school should be reported to the federal government. Whether or not these statistically insignificant test scores should factor in calculating adContinued on Page 11

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 Opinions/Literary

No Test Scores Left Behind tively. However, this is not an excuse to not count minority test ministrative funding is another scores. Our education system will topic for discussion. not improve if school officials are This failure highlights a reallowed to curring take the theme in easy way the U.S. out. With governthe future m e n t . of so From 9/11 many peoto the ple in Katrina t h e i r disaster, h a n d s , there has education been a officials lack of have to do responsithe right bility and thing, no commitmatter m e n t . how diffiGoverncult it is. ment offiIt is their c i a l s s h o u l d A poll on the No Child Left Behind Act by the AP shows o b l i g a tion. ◙ r e a l i z e mixed results. that their actions affect thousands, if not Alvis Yuen would like reader remillions of Americans. When sponse. Please send it to federal funding to a school is [email protected] duced, it would be considerably harder to run the school effecContinued from Page 10

When Daffodils Grow BY EILEEN CHANG STAFF WRITER

AP Graphic

In the garden where daffodils grow, Life is reborn from winter’s final snow. The white winter ash is replaced, By sweet pear blossoms Bound by time’s lace. For her beloved daughter’s return, Ceres holds out Her golden lantern. Light rainfalls harbor mid-day, Pearl drops of water from where flowers cascade. And in the spring when daffodils grow, Life is reborn from winter’s afterglow.

Springtime BY TINA YUE STAFF WRITER

Untitled BY JENNIFER LEE STAFF WRITER

I sense tension in the air. A firefly captured waiting patiently to be released… Right now, it is 11:15 in the morning. The sky, so bright and mesmerizing. Oh, the clouds are suddenly winning. It begins the process of raining. Oh, but the rain had stopped. The sun had appeared. The rainbow is slightly colored. What in the nature is going on? Tell me, oh dear creature. Tell me why the sun starts to glow. Oh why is it that the day suddenly turned so bright? Oh, how I love and hate these days. Spring is so confusing...

And then fly out, glowing. I am looking out at the window again. It’s not so cold today. Just Breathe. Just take it out. Just breathe… and exhale. Breathe…feel the rhythm of your Heart. Let the fresh wind cleanse you Away into the zephyr. Just breathe. …You’ll like what you’ll find.

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April 26, 2006 LITERARY/PUZZLES

Blissful Flyers

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Crossword Puzzle BY ERIC MAYO SPORTS EDITOR

BY STEPHANIE TAM STAFF WRITER

Soaring through the heavenly sky Till darkness comes birds will fly Animals that take wing so fast but Many cannot dream to surpass and Poignantly reaching out to humanity

Sudokus BY TIM CHANG STAFF WRITER

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1 They do your taxes 2 It's where we live 7 Carbon using writing utensil 9 Precedes duper 11 Arm in Peru 12 Water creature 14 Atomic number 33 15 Luxury car 17 Roll of the dice 19 Not early 21 Fall 23 Winter olympic sport 24 The $100,000 _____ 27 Cubist 30 Math machine 31 Composer George 33 General in Chinese menus 35 Popular search engine 37 Jeopardy! host 40 Nobel ____ prize 41 Norweigan capital 43 Achievement

1 Part of the face 3 Popular search engine 4 Bottom of the pack 5 City in Texas 6 Yankee shortstop 7 Call people with it 8 Fresh squeezed 10 The ____ is Right 13 Country led by Chavez 16 Windy city 18 Three of a kind and 2 of a kind 20 Real estate mogul Donald 22 Cheese state 25 Senior senator from New York 26 Home of 2006 Winter Olympics 28 “Moo" sayer 29 Actor Adam 32 Sport on ice 34 Leap 36 Finding ____ (movie title) 37 Golf's Woods 38 American ____ (tv show) 39 Edison's middle name 42 ___ Lanka

BY ANONYMOUS STAFF WRITER

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THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 SCIENCE

Digital Immortality Like Creating Puzzles?

The Stuyvesant Standard needs you!

and while this is 400 times as much as the twenty-megabyte chips of fifteen years ago, to think As technology continues to that Harari predicts a 1,250-fold advance at an ever-increasing increase in only twenty years is pace, many have begun to ask, mesmerizing. However, things “Where are we headed?” In a don’t stop there. Growth on simirecent interview, Eli Harari, CEO lar levels is occurring in almost and founder of popular memory every facet of information techchip manufacturer SanDisk, exnology. The upcoming Playplained, Station 3, for example, is estiWe believe that in 20 years mated to be thirty-five times as time, we will be able to fit 10 powerful terab ytes of as the information into P l a y a card that’s as small as a quarStation 2. ter. Ten teraIf growth bytes is the continues amount of at this memory we p a c e , have in the hus o m e man brain. Ten estimate terabytes could that Playfit 5,000 movStation 5 ies. When you or 6 will have that kind of memory, you already could store a Sandisk's current highest capacity memory card. match the h u ma n l i f eprocesstime’s worth of memory into ing power of the human brain. one of these cards. You could In May 2005, Ian Pearson, implant a device like this in head of the futurology unit and your head to restore memory. British Telecom, estimated that Currently, SanDisk’s highest

BY TAMIR YEWDAEV STAFF WRITER

bhphotovideo.com

Contact [email protected]

More Than Just a Fish BY JONATHAN XIKIS STAFF WRITER 375 million years ago, on the ancient continent of Laurentia, an extraordinary creature swam in the warm Devonian seas. Typically measuring 4 to 9 feet long, this “fish” was not all fish, nor was it a four-legged animal — it was both. Named Tiktaalik roseae, based on a suggestion by

Inuit elders of Canada's Nunavut Territory, where the fossil was discovered, this lobe-finned fish is what is known as a transitional fossil — it was a type of “fish missing link,” giving life to the cliché about how fish crawled out of the seas and onto the land. One of its discoverers, paleontologist Neil Shubin of the University of Continued on Page 14

capacity card stores 8 gigabytes Continued from Page 15

Booting up Boot Camp: A Program That Allows Mac Users to Run Windows Programs

Ted Daeschler

BY MOTTAQUI AL-KARIM STAFF WRITER

This fish pod fossil, ranging in length from 4 ft. to 9 ft, may be the remains of one of the rare “missing links.”

BY KENNETH LAM STAFF WRITER A donkey is sitting in the middle of a road, refusing to move in any direction. The donkey’s owner, however, needs to deliver the load the donkey is carrying to another town. He is having trouble figuring out a method to make the donkey move in the direction he needs it to. The owner decides to use the carrot and the stick. The carrot and the stick is

metaphorical for the psychological approach of motivating people into doing what one desires. The carrot is the reward the person being motivated will receive upon finishing the job. The stick is the punishment the worker will receive if the job is not done. The term takes its roots from the times when farmers needed to move their stubborn donkeys. The carrot would lure the donkey into moving in the direction desired, Continued on Page 15

Apple has, in the opinion of some of its fans, crossed over to the dark side by doing the unthinkable: running Windows on their so called superior Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger systems. Currently, a beta version, Continued on Page 14 which is basically an experimental version, is available for download on the Apple’s official site. Boot Camp became available on Wednesday April 6, after the shipment of the first Intel-based Macs. According to The Boot Camp Assistant Beta allows you to run Windows on your Mac.

apple.com

Of Carrots and Sticks

Apple, the purpose of Boot Camp is to allow those that defected to the Mac computers to run Windows programs. To install Boot Camp, a Mac owner would have to do is purchase Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2. Then they

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April 2, 2006 A&E

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Booting up Boot Camp: A Program That Allows Mac Users to Run Windows Programs

apple.com

would have to go on to the Apple official site and make the necessary updates by running the Software Update to their machine. They also has to make sure their Mac has the latest firmware running. Firmware is permanent software programmed into ROM. Once the user has installed the program, they will have to run the Boot Camp app and burn a CD that contains XP drivers. A driver is a program that controls the operation of devices such as printers of scanners, or as in this case, Intel chips and graphic cards. Basically, these are the objects that will let XP run on a Mac. This process takes several minutes . After burning the CD, the Boot Camp app presents the user with a slider which allows them to choose the amount of disk space they will allow for each operating system. Boot Camp also asks the user to choose a file system to format their Windows partition with. There are many file systems to choose from, the NTFS being one of the most

file-system of XP and its predecessors. However, Mac OS X cannot copy files to partitions which are formatted with NTFS. It can only read and recognize files in N T F S . Thus, the user is much better off formatting in FAT32, an older version of NTFS, but OS X can read to it, w h i c h makes dualbooting much more rewarding. At startup, hold down the option key (alt) to choose between Mac Once the OS X and Windows. user gets all of this technical deatails done, the most obvious choice is NTFS. they click the Partition button. NTFS, which stands for New This creates a new partition for Tech File System, is the standard prominent. Since the user will be attempting to install Windows XP,

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one of the earliest known tetrapods. It includes properties of fish, such as gills and scales; tetrapods. Tiktaalik evolved durproperties of tetrapods, including ing the 25 ribs, a freemillion rotating years be...this lobe-finned fish is neck, and tween the lungs; and what is known as a transiappearance properties of Pantional fossil – it was a type of both, derichthys, including of “fish missing link,” giva fish with “fishapod” ing life to the cliché about early attribl i m b s , utes of land how fish crawled out of the joints, and dwellers, ear reseas and onto the land. and Acangions. Its thostega, front fins one of the first amphibians and

More Than Just a Fish Continued from Page 13

Chicago, said, “It sort of blurs the distinction between fish and landliving animals.” Tiktaalik (pronounced “TICK-ta-lick”), meaning “shallow-water fish,” was discovered after five years of intensive searching in 2004, inside frozen river sediments on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, in northern Canada, where the once-warm continent of Laurentia eventually drifted. This cold climate turned out to be the perfect means for preservation of the fossils, which were in very good condition. However, the discovery was not announced until it was published in the April 6 issue of Nature, when it was instantl y acknowledged as a groundbreaking find. Tiktaalik gives a stronger backbone to the theory of evolution, and is proof that fish with fins eventually e vo l ve d in t o http://scienceblogs.com

Windows in the hard drive and prompts the user to insert their Windows installer CD. Their Mac then boots into the setup screen for XP. After installation, the Mac reboots into the XP system. The user must put in their burned CD that contains all the drivers in order for Windows to run properly. The drivers install themselves through an automated routine. Some devices, however, remain unrecognized, for example Apple’s wireless keyboard and mouse. To switch between settings, one simply reboots and holds down the OPTIONS key while the system is rebooting. Two icons appear on the screen, one representing the OS X hard drive and the other representing the XP hard drive. Use the arrow keys to choose between the two operating systems. Press the ENTER key to make a selection. If the OPTIONS key is not pressed at startup, the computer will boot in the operating system that it ran last time. Boot Camp is a useful feature which will make the lives of lots of Mac users easier. However, it has some problems and will by no means make Macs better than PC’s. ◙

look more like those of a crocodile, and include structures like a shoulder, elbow and wrist, which are not found in fish. Its head also resembles a crocodile’s, with eyes on top and sharp teeth. Tiktaalik did not like staying on land, however; it lived mostly underwater in streams, and only shuffled onto land for short periods of time. Of Tiktaalik, one thing can be certain. Fossils will continue to be discovered in the future, and as long as there are scientists willing to put in the dedication and hard work to search for them, our understanding of nature and evolution will become more and more developed. Although not everyone may A sketch of the Tiktaalik. appreciate a fish that is hundreds of millions of years old, this discovery was not only extremely lucky and time-consuming for the scientists involved, but also representative of an important insight into the ancestors of the wide variety of life making up our everyday world. ◙

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April 26, 2006 A&E

Digital Immortality

Of Carrots and Sticks

trolled limb. Its operation is based fully on thought, rather by 2050, the potential will exist than the subtle movements that for people to achieve cyberprevious limbs used. Through the immortality. According to Pearneural connection, the user can son, even poorer individuals will even feel pressure when the hand be able to download their brains opens and closes. onto computers by around 2080. While many are optimistic as Pearson also predicted that in the to the development of such future next 20 years we will be able to technologies, some believe it will create a three-dimensional digitake much longer than estimated. tally generated virtual world in Recently, for example, the CPU which people could interact and industry has had much spend time, trouble essentially a keeping up Matrix. In w i t h this world, Moore’s direct links law, which to our nervstates that ous system processing would prop o w e r vide us with should the look, effectively feel, taste double and even e v e r y smell of the eighteen real world. months. One could While this interact with law has someone been folfrom the lowed by other side of the industhe world as try since if they were its formuin the same lation in room. 1965, reM a n y cently depeople have velopment read science has been fiction that A man demonstrates his neural-controlled bionic s l o w i n g , centers on arm, designed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chito an exthe develop- cago. tent. This ment of rois partially due to the fact that we bots and conscious machines, but are nearing the limit of the size at realizing that all that is very poswhich transistors can be made. In sible is different, especially since April 2005 Gordon Moore, who according to many this world will coined the “law,” explained, come within our lifetimes. Con“We’re approaching the size of sider that the potential to live foratoms, which is a fundamental ever might come for the young of barrier… We have another ten to today to in some form or another twenty years before we reach the live forever. fundamental limit.” Based on current developNonetheless, one can’t but ment, the hardware will be there, help contemplate the possibilities but a different question is whether of a world in which calculators or not we will by that time be able a n d to gain a comstrong puters If growth continues at this pace, enough wi l l undersome estimate that PlayStation 5 or b e standing 6 will already match the processing e m of the power of the human brain. brain for the hardware to be bedded in our heads, allowing us able to connect. Many believe to have perfect memory and perthis is also achievable in the next form mental calculations almost century. In July 2005, The Rehainstantaneously; a world in which bilitation Institute of Chicago we can connect into a virtual one successfully developed a neurally and do almost anything; a world controlled arm for a victim of an in which we will be able to electric accident. The arm is conachieve, at the very least, digital nected to electrodes that connect immortality. Is anyone interested to the brain via nerves in the or scared? I am. ◙ chest. This was the first successful implantation of a neurally con-

around moneymaking tactics. The subjects of the study would while the stick would keep the pool together money. Then, the donkey moving. money would be split equally The carrot-and-stick apamong the subjects. Eighty-four proach has many parameters, and students were given a choice bethese parameters change dependtween two groups to join. One ing on the situation. For example, such group was a group in which a worker is asked to do a job. no punishment was allowed or However, the worker is not very used. The second group allowed well-motivated, and thus does not punishment — the equivalent of want to do the job well. Using the stick. the carrot side of the carrot-andThe first group, the one withstick approach, a larger paycheck out punishment, received the macan be used to motivate the jority of students at first. Howworker into performing the job ever, with a lack of motivation, well. these students did not participate In some cases, the stick is much and the pool consisted of required over the carrot. The barely any amount of money. In stick, or punishment, is often used the second to produce group, memresults that The carrot and the stick is bers who did are immedimetaphorical for the psynot participate ate and do and give in not require chological approach of momoney were much sacritivating people into doing fined large fice on bewhat one desires. amounts of half of the money, and thus, the pool rose motivator. Most often, the stick and more money was handed out comes in the form of threats. For to each member. Each day, stuexample, the same worker now dents were allowed to choose must do another job. However, which group to enter for the day. the rewards are not a strong Eventually, the percentage of parenough motivation and are workticipation in the second group ing too slowly. In this case, the nearly hit a hundred percent while best course of action would be to the amount of participation in the threaten the worker, possibly with first group dropped to nearly zero. layoffs or a cut in the paycheck. With the dual motivators of This would, in effect, produce punishment and reward, the stuimmediate results. However, in dents were able to produce larger the long run, this could backfire, amounts of money, allowing each as the worker would no longer put student to receive a larger amount up with these threats, and only a of money. It is this carrot-andlarge reward would be able to stick approach that provides sucmotivate the worker into working. cessful motivation. The reward A recent German study draws people in, while the punshowed that the carrot-and-stick ishment prevents them from turnapproach to motivation does ining back. ◙ deed work. The study revolved

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www.ncsu.edu

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Sweet and Twisted BY TINA LIU STAFF WRITER Directed by the prominent Korean director Park Chan-Wook, “OldBoy” is a great mixture of bizarre love and bloody gore. The film focuses on three characters, Oh (Min-sik Choi), Lee (Ji-Tae Yu) and Mido (Hye-Jeong Kang), revolving around themes of love and vengeance. The intensity of this film gives a multitude of unexpected

events and keeps you guessing until the end. Forget about the old stereotypical mafia style of killing everyone; “Oldboy” takes vengeance to a whole new dimension. Physical torture pales in comparison with what Oh has to undergo. Over a period of fifteen years of imprisonment in a dimly lit room with an ersatz window, Oh is dehumanThe poster of the movie “Oldboy.” www.opendiary.com

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April 26, 2006 A&E

Online Rental Showdown BY SARA MILLER STAFF WRITER Nearly every service is accessible on the Internet nowadays. This includes online renting, the increasingly popular websites that allow you to rent movies without ever stepping outside your house. Here’s a look at two of these sites.

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Sweet and Twisted Continued from Page 15

ized into a human lab experiment, with only the television as company. Life is a constant cycle of being gassed, fed, cleaned and watched. This inhumane treat-

mail in one business day. You can keep them for as long as you want without having to suffer from any late fees, and then return them in prepaid envelopes. The site boasts more than 60,000 movies in its library, conveniently sorting them into twelve genres, and over one hundred genres. You can also receive

just another luckless fortune’s fool, who just happens to fall in love with the wrong person in life. The great performances of Choi (Oh) and Yu (Lee) save the

www.netflix.com films.tartanfilmsusa.com

A scene from “Oldboy”

Netflix is the largest online DVD rental service.

Netflix Since its launch in 1999, Netflix has grown into the largest online DVD rental service. Its simple system allows for the maximum number of rentals in a month without any extra fees. Simply create a list online of DVDs you would like to see, and you will receive up to three in the

recommendations and reviews based on your picks. There are four plans to pick from, according to your watching capacity: one DVD at-a-time for a monthly $9.99, two DVDs at-a-time (limit four per month) for $11.99, two DVDs at-a-time (unlimited) for $14.99, and the most popular three DVDs at-a-time for $17.99. Continued on Page 17

ment brainwashes Oh into a human vegetable. But what is brilliant about the style of vengeance here is that “OldBoy” plants the seed of torture deep into Oh’s mind by causing him to constantly agonize about the hideous crime he committed, the act of incest. “Oldboy” is controversial and bold in playing around with the cursed concept of incest. While Oh is being tormented by his sin, “OldBoy” is sympathetic towards Lee, Oh’s kidnapper, by changing the taboo of incest into a warmer and less critical issue. From Lee’s tears and his aching love for his sister, a less cruel view of incest emerges. Lee is

far less talented Kang, playing Mido, the daughter of Oh. While Kang mars the scenes, Choi and Yu make the film a must-see. Throughout the film, Choi’s vividly portrayed personality begins to metamorphoses almost unnaturally, from once a constantly drunken fool to a hard and hatred filled man. Yet Yu’s performance outshines them all. As the mystery of the film unravels itself, the personality of Lee unmasks as well. First comes down the mask of the empty friendly smile, then the mask of the cruel conspirator and lastly the real Lee appears, a wretched creature that is distraught over the lost of his love. ◙

Classical Gothic Romances Revisited: Dragonwyck by Anya Seton ter, the ancestors of tant wealthy most of the British c o u s i n , royalty. Nicholas Van An ya Seton’s novel “Dragonwyck” Ryn, inviting “Dragonwyck” is written in the opens with 18-yearone of the style of classical gothic romances, o l d Wells daughsuch as Miranda ters to come “Rebecca” Wells, a live with Dragonwyck is a by Daphne farm girl him. When Du Maurier must read for all living in Miranda and “Jane u p s t a t e hears of the gothic romance fans Eyre” by N e w letter, she and a good choice Charlotte Y o r k , begs to go, as B r ö n t e . for fans of historical s ne a ki n g she has faSeton is a w a y naticized fiction. known for from her about the her historichores to lives of the cal novels, read a novel. Later rich and fasuch as “Katherine”, which is the that evening, a letter mous. After story of Katherine Swynford and arrives from a dis- The cover of “Dragonwyck” by Anya much discusJohn of Gaunt, Duke of LancasSeton.

BY JENNIFER SCHLESINGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

sion, Miranda’s parents allow her to go. Her position at Dragonwyck is unsure, as she is not a full member of the family, yet not a servant. She quickly becomes enamored with her cousin, Nicholas. After the death of Nicholas’s wife, he proposes to Miranda and is easily accepted. After a yearlong mourning period, Miranda and Nicholas are married. However, the marriage gets off to a rocky start and Miranda begins to have doubts about her love as she learns more about Nicholas’s character. Overall, “Dragonwyck” is a well-written book and an enjoyable read. Although some parts of Continued on Page 18

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 A&E

A New DVD Release to Catch: The Squid and the Whale BY JENNY HUANG STAFF WRITER

his mother’s new boyfriend Ivan (William Baldwin). At the same time, the sons also begin to explore their adolescent sexuality. Frank becomes a serial masturbator while Walt deliberates having sex with his girlfriend, Sophie (Halley Feiffer). While the plot is reminiscent of those of other films about dysfunctional families, the rawness and honesty of the characters save this film from being another mundane movie about growing up. The father is a particularly memorable character. Bernard, a publisher-less novelist, is an arrogant narcissist whose frugal-

21.

“The Squid and the Whale” is a semi-autobiographical film Although American inabout the discomforts and grittidependent cinema has plenty of ness of growing coming-of age up in a broken stories, Noah family. It features Baumbach’s the emotional “The Squid journey of the and the Berkman family, Whale” is one particularly the of the better children. After the films falling parents announce under this their imminent broad catedivorce, the two g o r y. T hi s sons are quick to critically actake sides: Walt claimed and (Jesse Eisenberg), well-received sixteen, adopts the film, originally judgmental opinin theaters last ion of his father year, was Bernard (Jeff nominated for Daniels) and an Academy blames the diAward for Best vorce on the O r i g i n a l “The Squid and the Whale” DVD. mother Joan Screenplay. It (Laura Linney), while Frank was released on DVD on March (Owen Kline), twelve, accepts www.empiremovies.com

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Announcing the Sixth Annual

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Online Rental Showdown Continued from Page 17

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gives its users printable coupons to enjoy free rentals from its stores.

The wellknown movie rental store has taken its services online. It uses the same procedure and the same plans as Netflix, and has a library of 50,000 titles. However, the website offers several features that Netflix does- Now Blockbuster offers online DVD rental. n’t have. Not only Out of the two online rental does Blockbuster Online offer services, Blockbuster Online is movie rentals; it also offers game the better deal. Even though its rentals for Play Station, Play Stalibrary of movie titles lacks a littion 2, Xbox, Game Boy Adtle behind that of Netflix, it is vance, and Nintendo Gamecube. continuously growing. Its userBlockbuster will send you the friendly website offers many first movies on your list that are more helpful features, and gives available. The site also has links you more control of the order of for movies releasing this week, which you receive your DVDs. and a link showing what is in For those who play video games, theaters. An extra added bonus there is an extensive library of included in each plan are the free over 1000 games, sorted into In-Store Movie Rental coupons. categories including racing, Each month, Blockbuster Online sports, and action and adventure.

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Blockbuster Online

ity provides comic relief in this mainly melancholic movie. In one scene, he allows Sophie to pay part of the bill when the family goes out for dinner. Bernard radiates jealousy when he finds out that Joan, who recently became a writer, gets published in The New Yorker. Despite Bernard’s appalling temperament, the Berkman family does have familial characteristics. For example, Bernard’s knack for cursing like a Tourette’s Syndrome patient obviously rubbs off on Frank. The underlying domestic details definitely add to the sincerity and down-to-earth

Presented by The Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association Applications are available in the Alumni and College Offices Completed applications due by Thursday, April 27th No exceptions Please Note: All students who apply will also be considered for one-time $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, $1,050, and $1,000 scholarships.

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April 26, 2006 A&E/SPORTS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

The Maximum Talent Theory of Sports Continued from Page 20

picked him up, along with his remaining $112 million contract over 7 years. All this money for the sake of winning. Even more, they already had a superstar shortstop in Derek Jeter, so they moved A-Rod to third base, wasting his talents for an entire year while he adjusted to his new position. Since then, A-Rod has improved, but the Yankees still lack a World Series championship. However, A-Rod is not alone. Along with Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield, and Jason Giambi, these big-name players who were supposed to instantly bring rings are not doing as well as people expected, and may even harm the team. The Yankees pretty much have an all-star team: A-Rod, Jeter, Giambi, Posada, Sheffield, Matsui, Damon, and Mussina. They even have a budding rookie, Robinson Cano. Why is it that an all-star team unto itself like the New York Yankees cannot win a championship? In an effort to explain this, the Maximum Talent Theory was formed. The Maximum Talent Theory, like the name suggests, contends that sports teams have a set limit on the amount of talent that

Once there, they are so welthey can hold, before any extra comed, worshipped, and infatutalent added becomes worthless, ated with money that they lose or even detracts from the team’s sight of what they were there for. performance. Adding too much Then the team talent to begins to lose a team and both the defeats player and the purteam are unpose of happy. The creating star complains a wellabout not havbalanced ing enough t e a m help. Then, t h a t the team signs works more supertogether. sta rs wi t h Having even bigger t o o contracts to m a n y try to supplesuperment itself. s t a r s Then there are w i t h several superselfish stars on the motives te a m, a nd or overwith such a s i ze d co mb in atio n egos can of statistics d e f i and records, nitely it's impossible harm a Steve Francis of the New York Knicks. to lose, right? team. But one must not forget that these Stars who were once modest, amstats were from previous seasons. bitious rookies were eager to The stars play together, they feel prove themselves end up falling they’re unstoppable, and they for the multimillion dollar deal. Getty Image

A New DVD Release to Catch: The Squid and the Whale Continued from Page 17

roughness of this film. For New Yorkers, there is an added bonus to this film. “The Squid and the Whale” was filmed in New York City’s own borough of Brooklyn. Scenes of Q train stations can be seen, along with brownstones in Park Slope. In addition, the school that

tary, an interview with Baumbach at the New York Film Festival, a thoughtful behind-thescenes featurette, two reviews (from the Los Angeles Times and the New Yorker), and original trailers. “The Squid and the Whale” is a somewhat conventional, yet enjoyable, film that possesses all

cinematical.com

begin to slack off. Each player thinks the others will do the job, and they become lazy. This is when the team has reached the maximum talent level and it all begins to go downhill. Another good example of this theory is the New York Knicks. Most are probably familiar with the Knicks’ horrible performance this year, and their even worse trades. Ever since 1998 and head coach Jeff Van Gundy’s resignation, the Knicks have been in decline. They continue to add selfish, cocky players to the team and to make bad trades, adding more selfish, cocky players. Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis are prime examples. Adding veterans Malik and Jalen Rose didn’t help, and rookies Channing Frye, David Lee and Nate Robisnon are having their growth stunted even before they become stars. The more the Knicks spend, it seems, the more they lose. Sports were never this much about money. They’re about fun and the advancement of sports and its values. Maybe next time, sports teams will be able to actually think about their situations, and realize it’s possible to win without spending a fortune. ◙

Classical Gothic Romances Revisited: Dragonwyck by Anya Seton Continued from Page 16

the book are slow-moving, the reader eventually gets swept up in the story. The plot is rather complex, although the ending is fairly predictable. However, Seton expertly mixes in historical events of the time, the mid 1800s’, with the plot, which makes the story more realistic. One of the highlights of the novel, is its characters. They have complex motives and seem nearly three-

dimensional. In contrast to many other gothic romances, much less is left up to the reader at the ending. Other than this, Seton does a very good job of recreating a classical gothic romance. Like the classics, a sense of mystery surrounds the entire story. “Dragonwyck” by Anya Seton is a must-read for all gothic romance fans and a good choice for fans of historical fiction. ◙

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Start right here with...

College Now

A scene from “The Squid and the Whale.”

Bernard works in was filmed in Midwood High School and Brooklyn College. Special features of the DVD include an audio-only commen-

the wit and smarts a coming-ofage story should. This film will surely be a hit for all fans of this genre. Be prepared to laugh and empathize at the same time. ◙

Contact [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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April 26, 2006 SPORTS due to his temper, no one can deny that he is one of the better defenders in the NBA today. No fair share of draft mistakes. In one can also deny that he would 1999, the Knicks held the fifhave been a better pick for the teenth pick in the NBA Draft. At Knicks. this point, the In 2002, the Knicks had just K n i c k s lost to the Spurs owned the in the finals. seventh seThey were lection in the growing old, NBA draft. and needed help Their selecat multiple position was tions. Their Nene, power selection was a forward from French center Brazil. Like named FrederWeiss beick Weis, the fore, Nene apparent heir to never played Patrick Ewing a game for at the position. the Knicks, Weiss, now but this time known as it was be“French Toast”, cause he was never played a Dan Morino, the ex-quarterback of the Miami traded, along game for the Dolphins. with Marcus Knicks due to a Camby, to the Nuggets for Antoback injury. The next selection nio McDyess. McDyess played belonged to the Chicago Bulls. only eighteen games for the They took Ron Artest, a small Knicks due to injury and was later forward from St. Johns. While traded to the Phoenix Suns in the Artest has had many problems

Draft Busts Continued from Page 20

considered the greatest quarterback in the history of football. In the NHL draft of 1993, everybody was high on Alexander Daigle. The six–foot, 200-pound right wing was called the next Wayne Gretzky. Daigle broke most of Gretzky’s records in Canadian junior hockey. The Ottawa Senators even lost purposely just to draft this “superstar.” Oops. After five seasons in Ottawa, where he never lived up to potential, Daigle played for Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and the Rangers before retiring. He came back two years later to play for Minnesota. He was waived last month by Minnesota, and is currently in the minor leagues. Drafted fourth overall that same year, Paul Kariya is a superstar. In 657 career NHL games, Kariya has 339 goals and 347 assists. Paul also helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The Knicks have had their

Tennis and the Struggle to Get Courts the FDR courts with other schools, group lessons, and indiDrive and Houston Street, a fortyviduals that regularly get to the minute bus ride from school. courts earlier. This leaves StuyThis means players getting out of vesant players courtless or, on a school at 3:30 usually do not arlucky day, with one or two courts rive until 4:10 at best. According to split between about fifteen players on a single team. Thus, practices become inefficient ands wastes of time and money. The girls’ tennis team coach, Mark Harman, has inquired about a move of A map of the route from Stuyvesant High School to the tennis S t u yv e s a n t ’ s courts. home courts to the courts down by the piers. to PSAL regulations, these playThis change of location would ers must forfeit their matches. make it possible for players simSo far, the only solution is for ply to walk a short distance for the members of the tennis teams practices and matches. As of is to take taxis, which they do now, the girls’ tennis team has everyday. However, taxi fares and had one practice at the pier’s the complications make it difficourts, but official matches recult for players to make it to pracmain at FDR. Hopefully, in time, tices and games, if not impossiStuyvesant’s tennis teams will ble. have a new home, closer to the Not only is the commute frusschool. Until then, players will trating, it is a disadvantage to the have to put up with shelling out teams. By the time the teams step their own money for taxi fares or onto the courts at FDR, most are risk forfeiting their matches. ◙ already taken. Stuyvesant shares

www.mapquest.com

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www.danmorino.com

Stephon Marbury deal. Only two picks later, the Suns selected Amare Stoudemire. Though injured this year, Stoudemire is one of the best young players in the NBA, and averages twenty points and nine rebounds a game. The worst draft bust of all time occurred in 1984. The Portland Trailblazers owned the second pick. They selected Sam Bowie, a center out of Kentucky. He played four average seasons there, and four more for the Los Angeles Lakers upon retiring in 1995. The next pick in the draft, however, was someone much more familiar. The Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan, a shooting guard from North Carolina. It’s fairly safe to say that Jordan was the best basketball player of his generation. Along with Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships. So this Saturday when your favorite football team doesn’t draft who you want them to, just remember the fateful stories of these five individuals. ◙

Fencing Fever ers Berland, freshman Megan Ng, and sophomore Malika strange having practice in spring,” Rakhmankulov are also imporstated Berland. The hard work tant reasons for the team’s sucand practice seem to be paying cess, averagoff. ing 2.25 of Scoring the three posin fencing The Untouchables were sible “B” matches is a points. This indeed untouchable in little tricky not the but easy once their first two matches. was case, howyou get the ever, in the hang of it. team’s lone Each team has six fencers, two defeat, a 5.25 to 3.75 loss to “A”, two “B”, and two “C”. The Hunter. The Untouchables started “A” fencers’ bouts are worth 1 down 4-0 and were never able to point each, those of the “B” playrecover. They did recover, ers are worth .75 points, and those though, in their next match, a of the “C” players are worth .5 7.25- 1.75 win over LaGuardia. points. Each fencer gets two Even though this team is winbouts, and the first fencer to five ning now, they should be winning touches wins. for years to come. The team will The Untouchables were innot graduate any seniors this year. deed untouchable in their first two Out of the twenty fencers, there matches, both 7.5 to 1.5 wins over are only two juniors and six Beacon School and Frederick sophomores. The amount of exDouglass Academy respectively. perience this team will gain in “A” fencers Jenny Hsiao and coming years will make it a force Vivian Truong got the team off to to be reckoned with real soon. ◙ an early start, giving Stuyvesant commanding 4-0 leads. “B” fencContinued from Page 20

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April 26, 2006 SPORTS

Tennis and the Struggle to Get Courts

Source Unknown

BY STEPHANIE SHEN STAFF WRITER Stuyvesant’s Girls’ and Boys’ Tennis Teams have long been known for their competitive tryouts and, c o n s e quently, the high level of ability among their players. As the spring sports get

into full swing, the tennis teams have begun yet another round of successful matches. While there’s plenty of skill, dedication, and victories, the problem that remains is actually getting courts to practice on. The lack of courts around Stuyvesant causes a problem in getting regular practices in between games and actually getting to games on time. Currently, the home courts for the tennis teams are at Franklin D. Roosevelt

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

The Maximum Talent Theory of Sports BY RICHARD MAI STAFF WRITER These days, we regard professional athletes like gods, and it is no wonder that people follow their sports teams so fervently, especially involving big names and winning. And with big names come big bucks. Every year, it seems, there is a newer, bigger, juicier player contract for a sports superstar. The player is

young and shows great potential, so why not make him sign for as long as we can? On this topic, one of the most debated people is a New York Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. In 2000, he signed a staggering $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers as a free agent for ten years. It is the most lucrative contracts in sports history, and is still the most expensive in American sports. The Yankees later Continued on Page 18

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Fencing Fever BY ERIC MAYO SPORTS EDITOR

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www.usfaryc.org

Draft Busts approaching. The Jets were looking for a quarterback. Their selection was Ken O’Brien, a quarterA draft in any professional back out of the University of sports league is an exciting day California-Davis. O’Brien went for a bad team and its fans: there on to have a decent career with are plenty of future stars just the Jets, retirwaiting ing in 1993, to be tied for fiftieth drafted. place in pass Ho wattempts and ever, 42nd in comf o r pletions. Three every selections superlater, the Mis t a r ami Dolphins there’s also took a a superquarterback. bust. His name was Here’s a Dan Marino. look at While Marino five of only the bigled the Dolg e s t phins to a Sudraft per Bowl, he is busts in the all-time p r o fe s leader in pass sional attempts, comsports. Michael "Air" Jordan could have been a Trailblazer! pletions, passThe ing yards, and y e a r passing touchdowns, and could be was 1983, and the NFL draft was

BY ERIC MAYO SPORTS EDITOR

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www.ultimateyankees.com

Fenci n g fever h a s carried over to t h e springtime. For the first time in PSAL

history, the girls have a separate fencing league from the regular one in the fall. This new system might eliminate the coed season in the fall, but whether that will happen remains to be seen. The team was informed of this change sometime during the fall co-ed season, according to sophomore and co-captain Anais Berland. The team started practicing for the upcoming season at the end of February. “It's kind of

Even the great Yankees falls prey to the Maximum Talent Theory.