Volume 5 Issue 4

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

The Stuyvesant Standard Volume V, Issue 4

Ice Caps Still Shrinking

October 19, 2005

With Underclassman Caucus Primaries Past, Candidates Look Towards Final Decision BY EILEEN CHANG STAFF WRITER

Last summer the Arctic ice cap shrunk to its smallest size in recorded history, sparking fears of global warming and climate change. The ice cap, which grows every winter and shrinks every summer, averaged a summer minimum of 2.7 million square miles from 1979 to 2000. In summer 2005, it shrunk to just 80% of the average minimum, a difference of 500,000 square miles,

With the freshmen and sophomore caucus primary elections past, the remaining candidates continue to run. Candidates compete with a friend, as voters choose a combined President-Vice President ticket. Partners needed to collect at least twenty signatures from students in the same grade. They then needed to secure ten people as campaigners and to submit a photo of all. Finally, they had to sign an agreement, write a per-

sonal statement, and hand it all in by October 3. Campaigning is the key to student elections. Time was precious, as students had only four days to campaign. Campaigners eagerly tacked fliers all over the school and promoted their candidates. On October 14, polls opened for the primary elections. In the Principal’s Conference room, members of the Student Union counted the votes and determined the winners who will move on to the real election. Continued on Page 2

Mutated Bird Flu Could Cause Pandemic The rapid spread of avian influenza has made officials worried that a mutated form of the virus could jump to humans and cause a devastating pandemic, killing millions across the world. Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a form of the flu virus. It is found naturally in wild fowl, which are resistant to the virus. These fowl can transmit the virus to domesticated birds, which are

much more vulnerable. If humans come in close contact with infected birds they may develop the virus. Symptoms of bird flu in humans resemble those of the regular human flu virus, but can also include eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other life-threatening complications. The strain of bird flu called H5N1 has killed at least sixtyfive people in Asia, and over 100 million birds were culled to control it during an outbreak that lasted from late 2003 to early 2004. The virus is not particularly contagious in humans, but scientists fear that if a person were infected with the human flu virus and avian influenza at the same time, the two viruses could combine into a highly contagious “super virus” to which few people would have natural immunity. With nothing to stop it, the virus would spread across the globe. Continued on Page 3

Mr. Polazzo comments on the importance of student elections.

A Day at the Siemens Day of Science niversary, said “We’re the place that knows how to make math fun, science fun, and learning On October 1, Polytechnic fun.” Jim Whaley, University hosted a the vice president, “Day of Science” “The sun goes up; said, “We value convention sponsciences, math, the sun goes down. sored by Siemens and technology.” Math and science The program proAG, a technology conglomerate. Jerry help the world go vided workshops, Hultin, the newly d e mo n s t r a t i o n s , round!” - song inaugurated president and information of Polytechnic, booth to interested which is celebrating its 150th anstudents. Julia Rankin, the Director of Science of the Department of Education, called it a “really exciting time for science and learning.” Topics included “Aircraft Design Using NASA Simulation Application” and “Microgravity and the Science of Flight.” The event did not run flawlessly. Organizers expected about 500 participants, yet 1400 attended, leading to both shortages in gift bags and bagged lunches. Foobie D. Robot conversed with stuSome workshops and demonstradents at the convention. tions did not have expected presenters. Rona Zhang, a sophoHIS SSUE more, said, “It was very interesting, but very disorganized.” Visitors were entertained by Science..............................7 Foobie and Gizmo, two friendly Puzzles……………….......8-9 robots. Young children followed Arts & Entertainment........9-10 these robots everywhere, awed by Sports................................11-12 BY JIMMY ZHANG STAFF WRITER

Blade Agency

BY JONATHAN XIKIS STAFF WRITER

TSS/Eileen Chang

BY SANGHEE CHUNG STAFF WRITER

Continued on Page 3

Free

Associated Press

INSIDE T I -------------In Ceamurlia de Jos, Romania, health workers handle domestic birds.

News.....................2-4 Business................4 Opinions................5 Literary..................6

Continued on Page 4

Page 2

October 19, 2005 News

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

With Underclassman Caucus Primaries Past, Candidates Look Towards Final Decision Continued from Page 1

DR. JOHN NIKOL WINNIE LEE SHO UEMURA JESSICA THAM WINNIE DU JACOB ARLUCK LAURA HAN JENNIFER SCHLESINGER YANJ IE HOU JENNIFER WONG OSMAN NEMLI DEEP PARIKH MELISSA CHAN LADA KUKUY KAREN LIU KATIE BANKS DANIEL EGERS (‘03) ERNEST BASKIN (‘04)

FACULTY ADVISER EDITOR IN CHIEF M ANAGING EDITOR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LAYOUT EDITOR COPY CHIEF IN SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OUT OF SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SCIENCE EDITOR BUSINESS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR WEBMASTER DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM FOUNDER EDITOR EMERITUS

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 ©2005 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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The freshman caucus yielded a rare tie for second place. James Kim and Philip Kim won with 95 votes, while both Samantha Whitmore and Tanya Kohzena, and Alex Larsen and Dylan Tramontin garnered 80. All three tickets will be on the second ballot. In the sophomore caucus, the winners are Sara Yoon and Thivya Navartnum with 108 votes, and Vanessa Charuthum and Lauren Gonzalez with 107 votes. There were 11 freshman and nine sophomore tickets, considerably more than there were last year. More people voted as well. Last year about 300 sophomores voted but this year, approximately 400 sophomores voted. The increase in freshman votes may reflect this year’s unusually large class size, however. Student responses are varied.

“The student caucus is a good idea because then the students can have more of a say about what happens to them,” said freshman Raymond Han. Being new to the school, most freshmen like Raymond like to be represented and elections help them feel like they belong. To most upperclassmen, elections are unimportant. These students are so used to the annual elections, that they become indifferent to its occurrence. A junior remarked “You IGNORE the elections… Seriously, it's all a dumb popularity contest.” Matthew Polazzo, who as coordinator of student affairs is in charge of student elections, begged to differ. “Student elections are extremely meaningful because the elected students make decisions that will affect what the Student Union decides to spend the school budget on.” ◙

The Sci-Fi Movie Club BY ROBERT STEVENSON STAFF WRITER Among the usual array of club advertisements one stands out: “Do you want to see Santa conquer the Martians? Then come to the Sci-fi Movie Club.” The Sci-fi Movie club, started only at the beginning of this year, is perfect for those interested in watching sci-fi movies. "We will watch sci-fi movies, either good or bad ones…[then] we will go over the themes or hilarious moments, and we will find out how possible these are, according to the Peter Graves Scale of Acceptability,” said freshman president Aidan Daly. Daly got the idea for the club from his own interests. He and

Club Spotlight

Executive Leadership Team

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

his friends watched sci-fi movies together, and Daly decided one day, “Wouldn’t it be cool, if we could share our movies with everyone?” And so earlier this year, he put together an interest meeting in room 229. Many people showed their appreciation, and signed up. Daly said that the club will mostly focus on "Mystery Science Theater," a series dedicated to short sci-fi films. “[The show] is about three robots and one guy, trapped in space by an evil mad scientist and forced to watch terrible movies.” Daly and his friends own many of the episodes and will be showing them often at meetings. ◙ If you are interested in the Sci-Fi Movie Club, please contact Aidan Daly at [email protected]. If you would like to have your club or publication featured in The Standard, send email to [email protected].

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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October 19, 2005 News

Wildfires Ravage Southern California Firefighters have at last managed to contain a series of Southern California wildfires, and residents have begun to return to their homes. The first wildfire arose in a rural portion of Los Angeles County and eventually burned through more than 6,400 acres of land. Valerie MacAdam, a Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman, reported that 70 percent of the fire had been contained by October 6th. But as firefighters prepared to finish the job, hot and dry weather made their job extremely

difficult. A 10-mile stretch of highway was closed as a huge wall of flames engulfed it. The inferno also threatened about 100 homes. Meanwhile, another wildfire spread to California across the border with Mexico. The fire, of unknown origin, burnt 4,000 acres. Mark Streck, a state spokesman, said that to contain An airplane spreads fire retardant over the the flames, crews had to cut a flames in Redland, California. 14-mile line by hand around the fire. save some lives,” Streck said. Shifting winds blew the blaze Most people threatened by back toward the Mexican city of the fires were evacuated by the Tecate, and a dozen American night of October 5. Jennifer Johnfire engines raced to aid people son, a resident whose friends and across the border. “I really feel family helped her pack said, like we got the opportunity to “There’s been fires here before

Congratulations to JESSIE LUK on becoming PUZZLE COLUMNIST of The Stuyvesant Standard! Ice Caps Still Shrinking Continued from Page 1

twice the size of Texas. Mark C. Serreze, a scientist at the University of Colorado, said that this was the fourth summer in a row in which the ice area was greatly below the average. He attributed the decline to an increase in global temperatures stemming from human emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. He also said that a feedback loop may play a role: “With all that dark open water, you start to see an increase in Arctic Ocean heat storage.” The replacement of reflective ice with darker water

may increase the amount of heat energy absorbed in the polar region. Other scientists disagree. Ignatius G. Rigor, a scientist with the University of Washington, cited a natural atmospheric cycle called the Arctic Oscillation. He did not totally discount human causes though, saying that “the global warming idea has to be a good part of the story.” This shrinking sea ice poses other problems. The expanding water area reduces the habitat of polar bears and may also threaten cod stocks. Melting ice increases global sea level, potentially causing flooding in coastal area. ◙

Associated Press

BY YULIYA FELDMAN STAFF WRITER

and it’s gotten close before but I’ve never seen all or our neighbors go.” Yet another wildfire started in Riverside County on the 6th and quickly spread across 50 acres. This time, weather conditions were more favorable and the fire was quickly contained. “Firefighters were able to get a handle on this early on,” said fireman Jason Neuman. ◙

• •

CORRECTIONS FOR OCTOBER 6 ISSUE “Fireflies” was written by Eileen Chan. “Bounce” was written by Tina Yue.

Mutated Bird Flu Could Cause Pandemic for the H5N1 flu strain in mass production, although researchers World Health Organization are conducting trials and hope to officials have estimated that 2 to start producing the vaccine for 7.4 million people would likely public inoculation in months. Yet die in a pandemic – however, if a mutated virus emerges, the David Nabarro, a WHO response existing H5N1 vaccine might coordinator, said that in an exprove ineffective. treme case 150 million could perOrganizations such as the ish worldwide. Dick Thompson, a WHO and the Center for Disease WHO spokesman, disagreed, sayControl are ing "There is obvicreating a ous confusion, and stockpile of World Health I think that has to antiviral drugs, be straightened Organization officials to help contain out. I don't think have estimated that 2 and possibly you will hear Dr. stop the spread to 7.4 million people Nabarro say the of bird flu in same sort of thing would likely die in a the event of a again." On October pandemic. pandemic. 4, President Bush They are also announced that he recommending plans to use the military to enstrategic actions to control the force the law in the event that the virus and reduce loss of life, ingovernment is forced to quarancluding keeping people in their tine part of the country to control homes. As a prevention measure a flu outbreak. Last week, the they plan to educate farmers Senate passed a law allocating an about the dangers of close contact extra $4 billion for anti-flu drugs. with diseased poultry. ◙ There is currently no vaccine Continued from Page 1

Page 4

The Rich Keep Getting Richer BY MELISSA CHAN BUSINESS EDITOR For the third consecutive year, the rich got richer in America, according to the latest edition of the Forbes 400, a list of the wealthiest people in America. The net worth of the nation’s richest totaled $1.13 trillion, $125 billion more than last year. All but 26 on the list were billionaires. The minimum required to be on the list is now $900 million, a $150 million increase from last year. The booming real estate market and rising oil prices were the main causes of the increase. This year, Forbes introduced a creative way to list members. Among the new categories are Dropouts, Fashionistas, High Rollers, Booze Hounds, Jocks and Working Girls. And here are the top 30 with Bill Gates, of course, topping the list:

October 19, 2005 News/Business

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Rank 1

Name Gates, William Henry III

Net Worth ($mil) 51,000

Age 49

Residence Medina, WA

Source Microsoft

2

Buffett, Warren Edward

40,000

75

Omaha, NE

Berkshire Hathaway

3

Allen, Paul Gardner

22,500

52

Seattle, WA

Microsoft, investments

4

Dell, Michael

18,000

40

Austin, TX

Dell

5

Ellison, Lawrence Joseph

17,000

61

Silicon Valley, CA

Oracle

6

Walton, Christy

15,700

50

Jackson, WY

Wal-Mart inheritance

6

Walton, Jim C

15,700

57

Bentonville, AR

Wal-Mart

8

Walton, S Robson

15,600

61

Bentonville, AR

Wal-Mart

9

Walton, Alice L

15,500

56

Fort Worth, TX

Wal-Mart

10

Walton, Helen R

15,400

86

Bentonville, AR

Wal-Mart

11

Ballmer, Steven Anthony

14,000

49

Redmond, WA

Microsoft

12

Anthony, Barbara Cox

12,500

82

Honolulu, HI

Cox Enterprises

12

Chambers, Anne Cox

12,500

85

Atlanta, GA

Cox Enterprises

12

Johnson, Abigail

12,500

43

Boston, MA

Fidelity

15

Adelson, Sheldon

11,500

72

Las Vegas, NV

Casinos, hotels

16

Brin, Sergey

11,000

32

San Francisco, CA

Google

16

Page, Larry E

11,000

32

San Francisco, CA

Google

18

Omidyar, Pierre M

10,200

38

Henderson, NV

eBay

19

Kerkorian, Kirk

10,000

88

Los Angeles, CA

Investments, casinos

19

Mars, Forrest Edward Jr

10,000

74

McLean, VA

Candy

19

Mars, Jacqueline

10,000

66

Bedminster, NJ

Candy

19

Mars, John Franklyn

10,000

69

Arlington, VA

Candy

23

Kluge, John Werner

9,000

91

Palm Beach, FL

Metromedia

24

Icahn, Carl

8,500

69

New York, NY

Leveraged buyouts

25

Redstone, Sumner M

8,400

82

Beverly Hills, CA

Viacom

The Cause of Rising Oil Prices BY STEPHEN CHEUNG SENIOR STAFF WRITER This is a simple case of supply and demand. Worldwide consumption of oil is increasing at a phenomenal rate. Nations such as India and China, which are beginning to develop an automobile market, are thirsty for oil. Hurricane Katrina exacerbated the problem, temporarily knocking out 95% of the Gulf Coast's oil refineries. The oil industry affects the economy as a whole. Higher oil prices leads to higher gasoline prices, leading to higher operating costs for many businesses. Transportation companies are among the hardest hit. Since transportation of goods plays a big role in the economy, the increased operating costs for the industry ripples through to other

industries, ultimately trickling down to the consumer. Often this leads to economic slowdown and a recession. Retail industries are especially affected because of their reliance on trucking to transport goods to stores. The increasing oil prices have also put political pressure on Pres ident Bush. Hurricane Katrina's crippling of the Gulf's oil industry prompted a small panic among Americans, who already are weary of $3.50 per gallon prices at gas pumps. Bush, who in the past has been reluctant to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, announced on August 31 that he will release part of the reserve. The Department of Energy allowed Exxon-Mobil to borrow 6 million barrels of oil from the Reserve and another 6 million from the emergency stockpile. ◙

Questions? Comments? It is the policy of The Standard to remain accessible to its readers. Please contact us at [email protected]

A Day at the Siemens Day of Science Continued from Page 1

their complexity and interactivity as well as by their senses of humor. At the robotics team demonstration, Foobie raised an interesting question about another robot that the team designed and built, “Can this robot flirt with women, or make witty remarks?” When answered with a “No,” Foobie replied, “Good. Then I still have

my job.” During the Closing Session, lucky students won iPods and digital cameras in a raffle. The school with the most participants received a cash prize. A final musical presentation had the audience singing “The sun goes up; the sun goes down. Math and science help the world go round!” ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

The Suffering Continues BY KAITLYN O’HAGAN STAFF WRITER Teachers finally have a new contract guaranteeing a 15% pay raise over the next 52 months. So why are some teachers still unhappy? Unfortunately, there are quite a few reasons. New York City teachers have been given a 15% raise that is not retroactive to when their last contract expired, so teachers won’t get extra pay for the three years they worked without a contract. The pay raise will also be doled out in small increments, most of which will not kick in until next October. Teachers also conceded several rights to get the deal, something many object to. One of these rights is the

Page 5

October 19, 2005 Opinions to speak to the person who wrote the review or to hire a lawyer. Teachers must now attend three extra days of professional development and work ten more minutes a day. The ten minutes are supposed to be part of a 37.5 minute period to be used for “tutorials, test preparation and/or small group instruction, limited to no more than 10 students per teacher.” Since there are not enough teachers to offer these 10person classes to every student, these after-school periods will be aimed at non-grade level students who have no legal obligation to stay after school. What about teachers’ children who do not stay the additional time? Many teachers enter the field and tolerate low pay so that they can be home when their children are out of school. This extra time means teachers have to pay for additional child care, which could

ability to file grievance letters against the administration. While this may be a good way to expe-

Many teachers would have lived with even less of a raise if they had not consented to giving up the numerous rights they had in their previous contract. dite the firing of bad teachers, it harms good teachers that get unfairly poor reviews. Those teachers now have two options; either

easily add up to more than the raise they are getting. An amendment to “Circular 6” says that teachers can be assigned to hall patrol and cafeteria duty during their professional development periods. These periods are intended give teachers time to write lessons and plan curriculums. Teachers already spend other prep periods covering for absent colleagues, so when are teachers supposed to grade the quality homework, class work and projects they are expected to assign? Patricia Lockhart, a teacher at P.S.57 in Staten Island said, “It’s not about the three days or ten minutes, it’s about giving up the rights our past teachers worked for.” Everyone seems to think that we finally have a contract ‘for the kids.’ What about a contract for the teachers? ◙

Better Late Then Never: Japan On the Road To Reparations BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER

east, invading many Pacific islands and carrying out its infamous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Although not matching the scope and horrors of CNN

Sixty years ago last August, Japan surrendered to Allied forces, ending World War II, the bloodiest war in history. Yet Japan has yet to show true contrition for the atrocities it committed before and during the war. From 1931 to 1939, Japan fought imperialist wars with China and its other East Asian neighbors. Japan conquered many provinces and countries along the way, including Manchuria and Thailand. The Japanese slaugh- The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan’s lost tered millions and devastated the soldiers along with many of its WWII war economies of the countries they criminals. invaded. Then, from 1941 to the Holocaust, the atrocities of 1943, Japan concentrated its conthe Japanese army destroyed and quests towards the south and the altered almost as many lives.

But while Germany can never forget the horrifying role it played in the war, Japan vigorously denies and hides its crimes. Japan’s parliament, the Diet, has never issued an official apology. Germany cooperated in the Nuremberg trials, built myriad monuments to Holocaust victims, and made many formal apologies. Although many Japanese public officials have offered personal apologies, many of the Asian countries affected are demanding more. Japan has also failed to provide reparations to individuals, claiming that reparations to the governments were enough. However, Japan’s initial $3.9 billion reparation to the Pacific island nations and $30 billion dollar program for China hardly

Wild Card Miers Under Heavy Fire BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER This presidential term has been a blessing for President Bush and the Republican Party. Two Supreme Court seats have opened, giving conservatives a chance to strengthen their hold on the judiciary. Yet President Bush managed to mess up such a perfect situation. Bush did the one thing that could prevent this confirmation. He angered the majority. And that majority is, in fact, Bush’s own party. With the Democrats already enraged by the confirmation of John Roberts, they are willing to fight to the last man to secure the only other open seat left. If the Republicans are not unified, it will be nearly impossible to defend against the massive scrutiny the Democrats will hurl during the impending Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.

John Robert’s sterling academic But what is it about Harriet and legal credentials. E. Miers that angers legislators New York can once again on both ends of the political specbreathe freely, for the chances of trum? It is her obscurity and inexHarriet Miers being perience, which make confirmed are sigconservatives quesnificantly less than tion whether she those of Roberts would act in their were. Democrats favor on issues like fear that she would abortion. The Debe another Antonin mocrats dislike her Scalia or Clarence because Bush picked Thomas, who are her. Even though both staunch conserMiers is a churchgoer vatives. Meanwhile, and had contributed conservatives fear to anti-abortion that she could becauses, her personal philosophy is mostly Harriet E. Miers, Bush’s new come a new Souter un kno wn, whi c h nominee for Supreme Court who also had a worries many Repub- justice, faces intense scrutiny blurred background but turned out to be licans. Miers has from conservatives. moderately liberal. much experience as a We might have one less Bush litigator, having serving as nominee on the court unless she Bush’s personal attorney and as a manages to survive the gauntlet corporate lawyer, but she has no of her judicial hearings. ◙ experience as a judge. She lacks The New York Times

measures Germany’s more than $100 billion in reparations to Israel and individual Holocaust

Conditions in Japan are starting to improve. survivors. Japan has also whitewashed and downplayed its numerous atrocities during the war in its textbooks and schools. In contrast, Germany’s education system has acknowledged its past and denounced its offenses by banning any and all Nazi symbolism and Holocaust denial. Currently, conditions in Japan are starting to improve. In January, Japan’s Hiroshima High Court overturned a lower court ruling denying 1.2 million yen (about $10,000) to each of forty South Korean plaintiffs who were part of the slave labor in a Mitsubishi plant during the war. This is a first step to proper reparations. On September 30, the Osaka High Court gave a rare, symbolic victory to critics of Japan’s lack of repentance. The court declared Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead as well as its war criminals, illegal. Since the Prime Minister is the head of state, he is no longer allowed to honor the war criminals because his actions directly reflect on Japan. Japan may finally have more diplomatic and less volatile relations with its many Asian neighbors that were deeply upset by Koizumi’s regular visits to the war shrine. If Japan can continue this path away from denial and inactivity, it could finally pay its debt to its victims and be viewed once again as a citizen of the world. ◙

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October 19, 2005 Literary

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

BY SABRINA TASNOVA JUNIOR STAFF WRITER There is so much pressure There is so much frustration Another great workload dumped on everyone again Another endless cycle of papers and tests Weeks gone by where sleep is not present Days passed where relaxation and a social life does not exist So much to do and so little time There is nothing else to think about or to do besides work However the future is not dark and tiresome It will soon be done All the pressure and frustration will commence There will be time for relaxation and a social life Work will be finished and everything else can begin Here’s to the future!

BY CAROLINE HUGH SENIOR STAFF WRITER “My name is Caroline.” He didn’t ask. He didn’t know. All he did was enfold me snugly for a profound kiss. We lounged together in the dead of night talking about (what jades talk about?) how the world goes on without us as the world moves on without us. We were just strangers who warmed the same rail one fragile, one searching winter morning on a bustling metal track.

BY EILEEN CHANG STAFF WRITER

But he didn’t have to know my name to know that I make a declarative sentence.

Autumn’s bitter wind strolls by; Mocking the trees remaining green. She laughs at foliage tardiness Stretching from her sleep. She takes control and sweeps the dust; Into one’s eyes. Gritty and stinging, blinding the vision She is pleased with her superiority. But if you look at the trees of green; You can laugh in triumph. Fall has not arrived Yet.

BY EILEEN CHANG STAFF WRITER

Sorrow’s Nectar

I'm lost in my world No one to bother me I want to call out But, no words will form. I feel so alone No friends or family Everyone’s down there. While I'm up here.

BY PENNY MALAMUD STAFF WRITER The juice drips down and in its wake, It leaves my sorrow, drop by drop; Curving neatly, like a snake, It falls into the silver cup.

I glanced down below It was filled with red It felt like it just rained And I feel so cold I am free at last. So why doesn't that feel good? I am living this alone. And that's the reason.

I drink deeply, weeping still, And while I do, the nectar ends. I think what I could not fulfill; I think that I must make amends.

Join our Poetry Fests! Send your poems and stories to [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

The Space Elevator: Fact or Fiction? BY DARYL VULIS STAFF WRITER

Page 7

October 19, 2005 Science

Frontiers of Plastic Surgery:

Face Transplants

economical proposals for an elevator would reduce the cost by an order of magnitude. Substantial human exploitation of outer space resources could at last become a reality. The space elevator may seem an idea out of fiction, but the drive to make it real grows ever stronger. Even at the incredible rate of progress, there is still Mondolithic Studios Inc.

Imagine a cable rising 60,000 miles above the surface of the earth. Pods full of cargo and passengers scale this “space elevator,” cheaply lifting them into outer space. Until recently the stuff of science fiction, technology breakthroughs and two NASA competitions stirring up ideas make it seem plausible that such an elevator could be build in the near future. The cable for such an elevator must be capable of resisting incredible tensions, without being so A space elevator would reach 60,000 miles above the earth. thick that it much to do before the space elebreaks under its own weight. No vator is ready for use, and the plausible building material exquestion remains as to whether or isted until 1991, when scientists not it will prove itself to be a fancreated carbon nanotubes. These tastic success or a failure. For wondrous structures consist of now, the space elevator may foreimpossibly thin cylinders of cartell a time when climbing into bon atoms, only a few nanomespace is as easy as pushing a butters in diameter. The technology, ton. ◙ although improving quickly, is still in development and the current models are not yet strong enough. Any such cable – or perhaps a ribbon of fibers, as some have envisioned - would have to be woven together from many individual tubes, a difficult prospect. “The problem is the matrix [arrangement], not the nanotubes,” said Bradley Edwards, a physicist involved in space elevator development. Several proposals for an elevator involve unmanned “climbers,” powered by lasers shot up from the ground, to slowly “pinch” the ribbon through complementary tread belts while strengthening the initially small ribbon by interweaving its own carbon nanotubes. Many of these climbers would remain at the top of the ribbon to provide a counterweight that would keep the structure stable until the cable was ready for its first elevator trip. LiftPort Group, a private company devoted to space elevator research recently tested a climber of their own. Although it climbed a thousand feet, insignificant compared to its eventual goal, LiftPort’s president Michael Laine said that the test was “a step in the right direction.” The potential benefits are vast. Currently it costs thousands of dollars to put a single pound of payload into orbit. Even the least

BY DEEP PARIKH SCIENCE EDITOR Dr. Maria Siemionow wants to attempt a novel surgery, one that will transplant the face of one person to another. This surgery has never been performed in the past and is something many are afraid to try. The technology to attempt it has existed for ten years, but getting a willing hospital, doctor, and patient has been the hard part. Doctors trying to reconstruct a face through other means simply graft skin and from different parts of the body. This does not work very well, and the process must be repeated many times with grafts from all over the body. This face transplant will allow doctors to simply transplant the facial skin of someone onto another person. The face will not look exactly like the original face but would be a composite of the donor and the recipient. The brain controls things such as how the face reacts, so the recipient would retain many of his or her facial characteristics. The underlying bone structure would also not be affected by the surgery.

The surgery involves connecting one or two pairs of veins and arteries from each side of the face from the new face to the person. About 20 nerve endings would be stitched to provide for movement and sensation in the face. Recently a hospital and doctor have agreed to test out the surgery on a first patient, yet the patient has not been chosen yet. Doctors want a patient that really needs the face transplant, as the idea of the surgery is to help those that have been through horrible accidents or burnings and have a poorly reconstructed face that does not fit well. Doctors also want a patient that is emotionally and mentally healthy and stable, so if the face transplant does not work well, the patient will allow doctors to continue. The new face, if infected, could turn gangrenous, requiring a second transplant. The recipient will need to take medications for life in order to prevent rejection of the new face. Thus the patient has to be strong willed and should have strong family support. Only time will tell how this surgery will go. ◙

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October 19, 2005 Puzzles

Crossword Puzzle

Trick or Treat Ghost Ghoul Haunt Headless Horseman Jack o'lantern Mummy Potion Scary movies Skeleton Troll Werewolf Witch Zombie

BY MONICA LUK STAFF WRITER All Hallow's Eve Bats Black cat Boo Brew Candy corn Cobweb Costumes Dracula Frankenstein

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Halloween Jumble BY ANDREW LEUNG SENIOR STAFF WRITER EPYECR __ __ __ __ __ RNNIKESTAFEN __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ SREIDP __ __ __ __ __ ERAVPMI __ __ __ __ __ __ IBOMZE __ __ __ __ __ KESLENTO __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Name of a ghost friend. __ __ __ __ __ __ !

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Last Issue’s Solution Cryptogram EVEN AN OLD RUNDOWN CAR HAS SOME VALUE. YOU CAN USE IT FOR MAKING RUNS TO THE DUMP, OR STRIP IT FOR PARTS. IT IS THE FATE OF MANUFACTURED GOODS TO SLOWLY AND GENTLY DEPRECIATE AS THEY GET OLD AND HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST MORE MODERN PRODUCTS. BUT IT IS THE FATE OF OPERATING SYSTEMS TO BECOME FREE. —NEAL STEPHENSON, IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE COMMAND LINE.

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Across 1. Illusions 7. clip of film 12. positive end 13. automobile club 15. Hawaiian for “dance” 16. “ ______ the sea” 17. to (Archaic) 19. 13th or 15th of a month 20. egg holder 21. feline lives 22. geologic period of time 25. in addition 26. not (Fr.) 27. Vikings’ pastime 30. not hers 32. cash 33. wager 34. college in the metropolis 35. corn ear 37. melodies 38. withdraw from a union 40. duet necessity 42. stared 43. sandwich topper 45. hide 48. “O me, ____ !” (2wds) 49. dirties 52. snake sound 55. fish found in streams 57. nay’s opposite (slang) 59. torn cloth 62. dental group 63. track event 64. nutrient drink 65. neither’s partner 66. Duane _____ 67. Cheers actor Danson

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Down 1. lipstick color 2. country hotel 3. fishing pole 4. juice 5. rodent pet 6. Italian wiener 7. weavers of life 8. losing hair 9. speakers 10. astronaut John 11. push in gently 14. foot accessory 18. Nebraskan Native American 23. affluent 24. zero 28. Queen Anne’s ___ 29. nun’s abode 30. attacker of China 31. preppy shirt 34. egotistic 36. “___ to Joy” 39. math operation 41. ironically funny 44. puts up signs 45. type of car 46. Sesame Street character 47. grief 50. soap ingredient 51. fortune teller 53. not crazy 54. Mr. Flintstone 56. bustle 58. dined 60. Egyptian king 61. before

Like to puzzle people? Contribute to The Standard! E-mail [email protected]

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 9

October 19, 2005 Puzzle/Arts & Entertainment

Like Shoes With a Broken Heel big climatic clash between the sisters. The second hour shows how the sisters cope after their Curtis Hanson’s latest film, clash – and separated, both girls “In Her Shoes,” examines the seem to be doing a lot better. This bond between two sisters: the begs the question: should they be s e x - a d d i c t e d , p a r t y- d r i v e n reunited? The film is not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon. But it’s not the type of film that should be rented for a second viewing. After the drama of the first half of the film, “In Her Shoes” falls somewhat flat as you spend a significant portion of the movie watching Diaz walk around in a bikini in a “retirement facility for active seniors” and Collette enjoy her new life walking dogs and falling for a new man. The plot is good but the folToni Collette and Cameron Diaz star in “In Her Shoes,” low-through could a film about the bond between sisters. use some work as the movie often lags. The Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and her acting may not be groundbreakresponsible sister Rose (Toni Coling but it is nicely done. Diaz’s lette). amazing performance helps you The movie starts out with forget the slow-paced plot. Altwo parallel sequences: Maggie though the movie starts out fun having sex in the bathroom durand edgy, it is cursed with a cliing her 10th high school reunion chéd happy ending. Despite how and Rose having sex in her apartgeneric the ending may be, it is ment with her boss. The first hour successful in bringing the movie shows the girls both alone and full circle. ◙ together and prepares you for the

You Could Have It So Much Better With Franz Ferdinand

BY EMMA RABINOVICH STAFF WRITER

Yahoo

and Sgt. Pe ppe r-e ra Pau l McCartney is very present in songs like “Fade Together” and Franz Ferdinand returns to “El eanor Put Your Boots the music scene with their highly On” (written about Eleanor Freidanticipated second album, “You berger of the Indie piano punk Could Have It So Much Better.” band Fiery Furnaces). Their first, self-titled record, It seems that after recording which estaban album of lished them as pure danceThese singles do not one of the best related funk new bands in simply reiterate the hysteria, the the indie pop band looked at original hits but add a scene, was a other genres and signature touch to collection of deemed that fiery singles they were worcompletely different that were superthy of being songs. danceable darts “Franzified.” of pleasure. The result is sad While “So Much Better” has lost piano backgrounds, characteristic the element of surprise of the first of bands like Death Cab For album and doesn’t quite measure Cutie, covered by layers of frenup to its genius, it still doesn’t zied guitars, which turns a group disappoint. that was played only at dances The same trance-inducing into a modern The Doors. The chord progressions, slow yet franheavy songs have also changed, tic imagery in lyrics over discowith “punkier” guitars and more like carnival beats and psycheBloc Party-like rapid shouting.

BY EMMA RABINOVICH STAFF WRITER

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Franz Ferdinand jumps back on the charts with their second album, “You Could Have It So Much Better.” Yahoo

delic, soothing wails in desperate rhythm from the first album are still present in the second but with a new twist. These singles do not simply reiterate the original hits but add a signature touch to completely different songs. The influence of artists like David Bowie adds a new Glam Rock side to the Scottish quartet,

The album is certainly worth the $10 on iTunes. After getting over the initial dislike accompanied by every new CD, it becomes apparent that the songs on this album, though different from the first, are truly excellent. No doubt this newest dose of Franz is sure to leave you thirsting for their third release. ◙

Solution to ‘School Days’ Jumble 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

computer sports team identification card faculty supplies presentation

7. projects 8. cafeteria 9. homeroom 10. schedule Message: Torture time!

Page 10

October 19, 2005 Arts & Entertainment

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Top Monsters BY YULIYA FELDMAN STAFF WRITER From superheroes to Harry Potter, popular Halloween costumes reflect both old favorites and the latest in pop culture. While Stuyvesant students have a tradition of dressing up like Delany cards, iPods and particle accelerators, there are a few classics that are inextricable parts of Halloween.

creatures. They are ubiquitous in Halloween decorations. Costumes range from the green, warty, Wicked Witch of the East to the all black, scantily clad Goth clothing accessorized with a pentacle necklace.

The Vampire Vampires may have developed from stories about cannibalism. Others have attributed the existence of vampires to diseases such as porphyria, which is an The Witch allergy to the sun. In any case, The first real “witches” were vampires became a staple of modfemale mystics in pre-Christian ern horror following the publicaEurope. From the 1300’s through tion of Bram Stroker’s novel the early 1700’s, a wave of anti“Dracula” in 1897. witch mania swept many ChrisOn Halloween, it’s hard to tian communities, and locals tell the difference between someone wearing all Ghosts have been a Halloween favorite for a long time black for the sake because of the flexibility of the costume. of Halloween and a vampire. It is only when the trick-ortreater fl a s h e s those pointy plastic teeth while declaring, “Trick or Treat!” that you can recognize one.

The Internet Raytracing Competition

killed any suspected of being witches. This campaign caused a change in the perception of witches, who became ugly, evil beings in popular folklore. Witches are probably the most popular of the supernatural

Frankenstein Frankenstein is the creation of Mary Shelly. In her novel of the same name, Dr. Victor Frankenstein created a monster, now also called Frankenstein, from sewn-together corpses. Frankenstein’s looks are actually described very vaguely in Mary Shelly’s novel. We get our image of Frankenstein from Boris Kar-

Coming Up in Stuy Theater! October 20 & October 21: "One Acts" is held in the Library. November 4 & November 5: "A Chorus Line" performs in the Murray Kahn Theater

Zombies from "Shaun of the Dead" range from the very pale to the very bloody.

CenterStage

loff’s portrayal of the monster in the 1931 movie. Frankenstein is another popular monster during Halloween because of his chilling looks. It’s not rare to spot a kid on the street with a slow, swaying sort of walk holding his arms stuck out ahead. The bolts on his neck are a dead giveaway that Dr. Frankenstein’s monster is on the loose. The Ghost A ghost is a manifestation of a dead individual. There is a belief in ghosts in almost every culture. The ghost is a popular Halloween monster because of the flexibility of the costume. Ghost costumes range from the simple bed sheet with two holes to elabo-

rate costumes including white face makeup and decaying clothing. The Zombie The concept of zombies was made popular by the black and white film, “The Night of the Living Dead.” The notion of the dead coming back to life to feed on the brains of the living is a hit with Halloween lovers. The zombie is a common Halloween costume that requires a little blood and a lot of groaning and moaning for brains. Modern movies and video games like “Resident Evil” and “Shaun of the Dead” have kept the zombie franchise shambling and moaning. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Peglegs Walk the Plank in Homecoming Continued from Page 12

crazed play of middle linebacker and team captain Alex Plamm led the team to trounce Alfred E. Smith by 28–6. The J.V. team is

but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We need to take one game at a time.” With a great J.V. team in the background and the resilient play of the varsity team per-

Stuyvesant and William C. Bryant play it off on the field.

TSS/Yan Slavinsky

now 2–0, and after last year’s disappointing season, excited players are shouting “New Era!” Plamm remarked “We are playing great; we work as a team

Page 11

October 19, 2005 Sports

haps next year Stuyvesant football will be a force to reckon with. ◙

Leaders Emerge as NFL Season Progresses Continued from Page 12 On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Patriots are not Elsewhere in the NFL, the looking like the team that has biggest surprise of the first four won three of the past four Superweeks was the Bengals. Led by bowls. They went into the season former Heisman Trophy winner having lost star cornerback Ty Carson Palmer, the Bengals are Law to the Jets and star linean impressive 4-0. What imbacker Terry Bruschi to a heart presses people the most about the condition. In Week 3, safety RodBengals is their defense, which ney Harrison was lost for the year has averaged with a leg inallowing only Vinny was signed jury. Following 9.5 points a game. E ve n when Pennington and a poor showing vs. San Diego, more impressive Fiedler went down, the Pa t ri o ts are their 12 inneed to pick up and the Jets hope his terceptions, inthe pace in orcluding five veteran presence and der to make the against Viking strong arm can bring post-season. star Dante The Packers Culpepper. some dignity to what have tremenThe Colts otherwise looks like a dous problems have also develof their own. oped an impreslost season. Brett Farve is sive defense. still golden, but his age seems to The Colts until this year were an be catching up to him. In their offensive juggernaut, with their Monday night loss to Carolina, weak point being the defense. Green Bay lost five starters to This year, things changed. Their injuries. This team is already #1 ranked defense is making them plagued by an inexperienced ofthe team to beat in the AFC and fensive line and by age almost possibly the NFL. Let’s not forget everywhere else. It might be a that they have some guy named long season for the Packers.◙ Manning for quarterback.

Crosby and Bruins Clash BY OSMAN NEMLI SPORTS EDITOR With Hockey back in the United States, many people are wondering what the new hockey year will show, and if the NHL will be any more different, entertaining or interesting than it has been in the past few years. After

Hotshot Penguin rookie Sidney Crosby. Bodog Beat

last year’s lockout the NHL cannot afford to have another similar fiasco costing them fans, merchandise sales, and of course, future interest in the sport. Who know how many fans dropped the notion of following the NHL this year, or how many once-loyal fans forgot all the useless statistics of all the important players, ranging from shots to height to shirt size? Will people ask others “What happened to that hockey sport that existed for a while?” Regardless of unanswerable questions the league made its long- awaited return this year to anxious fans, and no game was more important in the first week than that of the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. The game featured the debut of 18 year-old Sidney Crosby. Crosby, one of the most anticipated players of the season, is the Lebron James of the NHL. Besides scoring a goal in the game that his team, the Penguins, eventually lost, Crosby was able to establish himself as not just fluff, but the real thing. He played with both the intensity of a rookie and the calm only veterans of the sport can usually claim. He was able to break the ice, if you’ll pardon the pun, and play as com-

team with a strong offense is to have an even more powerful defense. In spite of losing their first few games, and despite the high fortably as anyone has ever chance that they will lose many played. The Penguin’s other goal others, the Penguins must focus came from veteran captain Mario on making their team not the Lemieux, who scored his first strongest in the short run, but the goal in two years- a happy return most efficient in the long run, so to the scorers’ that when the playstandings indeed. offs come, and if Along with is in it, Crosby, one of the Pittsburgh Crosby this year, that they will have the Penguins most anticipated more of a chance to have a full arseplayers of the sea- win it than the other nal with the likes teams in the east. of Zigmund son, is the Lebron This means that the Palffy, John Ledefense, consisting James of the NHL. Clair, Mark Recof Rik Jackman, chi, and Jocelyn Steve Poapst, and Thibault. The biggest problem Sergei Gonchar must work tofacing the team is not whether gether and play as a team rather they can score, but how their dethan as the individual players that fense will react when they gain they are. The Penguins will come the lead. After losing in overtime back from the rut they are in, and by a 7-6 goalfest to the Bruins, will eventually be one of the Penguins coach Eddie Olczyk strongest teams in the league, and believed that his team should with the help of Sidney Crosby have won, having led throughout will hoist Lord Stanley’s cup. ◙ the game. The greatest asset to a

Got a favorite team? Follow a certain sport? Share your expertise at [email protected]

Page 12

October 19, 2005 Sports

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Stuyvesant Peglegs Walk the Plank in Homecoming iron. Homecoming is usually a day for mascots, cheerleaders, jocks, The 2005 Homecoming was nerds and teachers to gather tovery different from the centennial gether to cheer on the home team, homecoming of last year. The but this year’s homecoming was cheerleaders “shook” less, there just the opposite. Few students were not as many speakers, the were in the bleachers. "About two attendance was much lower than kids are staying for the junior varsity game," a sophomore attending the festivities said. The game itself began on a good note for the Peg Legs with a 50yard run by senior running back Ronell Auld. A failed 2 point conversion and a touchdown by Bryant brought the game to half time with the score tied at 6–6. The second half started off for Bryant as the first did for Stuy. A score and a 2-point conversion put Stuy into a hole with not much time left to save the game. But on this SunMascot Peter Stuyvesant shows day, the pirate spirit his support for the Peglegs. was with the Peglegs, and quarterback Gregg Fish scored and successfully converted for 2 points to last year’s, and unfortunately for send the game into overtime, only the Peglegs, the score was not in for a final Bryant touchdown to their favor. The hobbling Peg end the game at 20-14. Legs came into the game with a The J.V. football team, on the record of 1-3. A mediocre 1–1 other hand, led several brilliant record and a blowout by William plays. Running backs Amos Dai E. Grady High School the week and James Morrissey and the before set the stage for the two teams to slug it out on the grid-

BY YAN SLAVINSKY STAFF WRITER

TSS/Yan Slavinksy

Continued on Page 11

Don’t Miss the Club Pub Fair! Thursday and Friday October 20 & 21

TSS/Yan Slavinsky

Leaders Emerge as NFL Season Progresses BY ERIC MAYO STAFF WRITER Football season is in full swing and after four weeks of exciting games, the mighty are separating from the weak. One of the biggest shockers so far this year has been the poor luck and even poorer offense of the New York Jets. In Week 3’s match against Jacksonville, Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler both went down with shoulder injuries fifteen minutes apart. Chad retore his rotator cuff, and will spend 2-3 weeks in rehab before making a decision on whether or not to have surgery. Jay Fiedler dislocated his right shoulder, but there is a slim chance he could back this year. The starter for the match with Baltimore was third year Brooks Bollinger out of Wisconsin. Having only attempted 9 career As a last ditch effort the Jets called on veteran quarterback, Vinny Testeverde to save them after both of their quarterbacks suffered injuries. The Buffalo News

Each day will feature a different set of clubs. Discover others who share your interests! Find out about Stuy’s clubs and pubs! The Stuyvesant Standard will also be present.

Stuyvesant students show their pride and support for their Peglegs.

passes coming into Sunday’s game, this was already a daunting task for him. Even more daunting was the fact that Baltimore’s defense is in the top 10 for the lead. What was the result of all of this? Horror. In the 13-3 loss, the offense managed a measly 152 yards. The team had more punts (9) than first downs (8). Curtis Martin, starting running back, had his 4th consecutive bad game, managing just 30 yards on 13 carries. The lone score came off a field goal set up by a 43 yard fumble recovery by outside linebacker Victor Hobson to the 1 yard line. The Jets, very close to desperation mode, announced on October 12 that the new starting QB will be a familiar face. 41year-old Vinny Testerverde will be behind center when the Jets take on the 4-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. Vinny was signed when Pennington and Fiedler went down, and the Jets hope his veteran presence and strong arm can bring some dignity back to what otherwise looks like a lost season. The other New York team couldn’t be doing better. After a terrible 45-23 loss at San Diego, the Giants bounced back with a commanding 44-24 win at home against the St. Louis Rams. Eli Manning is in the top 10 in most statistical categories, making the Giants’ huge investment in him worthwhile. Tiki Barber, free from his old fumbling problems, continues to establish himself as an elite running back this year. Continued on Page 11